CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies endorses the Milfontes Manifesto, a call for the protection, monitoring and restoration of Portuguese marine forests, developed within the scope of the Marine Forests Festival, held in Vila Nova de Milfontes from 14 to 17 May 2026, as one of the subscribing institutions of the “Milfontes Manifesto – For the Future of Portugal’s Marine Forests”, a document promoted by scientists, professionals, entrepreneurs and citizens involved in the conservation, research, education and sustainable valorisation of Portuguese marine ecosystems.
Addressed to the public entities responsible for the areas of Environment, Science, Innovation, Economy and the Sea, the manifesto highlights the strategic role of marine forests for biodiversity, coastal protection, climate regulation and the well-being of coastal communities.
Portuguese marine forests include macroalgae forests, seagrass meadows, coral and sponge gardens and other biogenic habitats that support high biodiversity and function as important nurseries for marine life. The document warns of the growing threats faced by these ecosystems, including climate change, erosion and artificialisation of terrestrial ecosystems, coastal sedimentation, overfishing and the destruction of benthic habitats.
Main recommendations
Among its main recommendations, the manifesto advocates:
- the creation of a National Strategy for Marine Forest Ecosystems with a horizon until 2040;
- the strengthening of effective protection of marine protected areas;
- the development of national long-term ecological mapping and monitoring programmes;
- the promotion of ecological restoration actions based on the best available science;
- the strengthening of ocean literacy, public participation and the involvement of coastal communities.
In an annex, the document also presents a proposal for guiding principles for a future National Strategy for Marine Biodiversity, as an integrated instrument for the conservation, monitoring, restoration and sustainable valorisation of Portuguese marine ecosystems.
With this endorsement, CESAM reaffirms its commitment to the production of scientific knowledge and to supporting the definition of public policies oriented towards the conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems.
The manifesto remains open to new subscribers. To subscribe, simply send name, affiliation and location to: algarecoralseas@gmail.com
The full manifesto can be consulted here.