The MARVEL project (Madeira: Advancing in Regular Vigilance of the Environment and Legislative Compliance) was launched to strengthen the protection of marine biodiversity in Madeira by bridging the gap between scientific monitoring and regulatory implementation. Operating within the Special Area of Conservation “Cetáceos da Madeira”, MARVEL responds to the growing need for up‑to‑date ecological evidence to support decision‑making in a context of increasing maritime activities, including tourism, vessel traffic, and emerging industries such as offshore wind.
By combining systematic at‑sea surveys with close cooperation between scientific institutions, public authorities, and local stakeholders, MARVEL has already delivered concrete results. In its first year alone, the project conducted more than 3,300 km of marine surveys and collected over 26,000 photographs documenting nine cetacean species. This growing baseline dataset provides critical knowledge to support Madeira’s obligations under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive, ensuring that conservation measures are informed by current and locally relevant data.
Figure 1 A mother and calf pair of short-finned pilot whales © Museu da Baleia da Madeira
Innovative solutions supporting conservation and compliance
MARVEL stands out for its integrated and practical approach to marine conservation. Rather than focusing solely on monitoring, the project connects data collection directly with regulatory enforcement and stakeholder behaviour. Updated scientific evidence is regularly shared with the Instituto de Florestas e Conservação da Natureza (IFCN), enabling authorities to review management measures and enforcement priorities based on real‑time ecological conditions.
At the same time, MARVEL develops tailored mitigation protocols addressing a range of pressures on marine mammals, from whale‑watching activities to maritime traffic and future offshore developments. By engaging operators and local actors as active participants in data collection and compliance processes, the project promotes a culture of shared responsibility and long‑term stewardship of marine ecosystems. This community‑led dimension strengthens both environmental protection and legislative compliance, ensuring that economic activities can coexist with the conservation of cetaceans, monk seals, sea turtles, and seabirds.
Figure 2 Photographing bottlenose dolphins for their identification © Museu da Baleia da Madeira
Scale‑up opportunities
Building on its experience in Madeira, MARVEL offers strong potential for replication and scaling across the Atlantic. A key opportunity lies in the development of a trans‑regional monitoring network connecting EU Atlantic outermost regions. Such a network would allow the harmonisation of conservation indicators, the exchange of surveillance methodologies, and joint assessments of shared marine vertebrate populations that move across regional boundaries.
In parallel, the monitoring and compliance model developed for the SCI “Cetáceos da Madeira” can be adapted to other large Special Areas of Conservation facing similar challenges linked to tourism pressure and maritime traffic. By combining scientific evidence, regulatory support, and stakeholder engagement, MARVEL provides a transferable blueprint for strengthening marine biodiversity protection across the Atlantic basin.
Figure 3 Two bottlenose dolphins in front of the Madeira Whale Museum, Caniçal, Madeira © Museu da Baleia da Madeira
Further information
Sectors: Research and Monitoring, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, Stakeholder Engagement, Marine Traffic Management, Public Awareness
Funding Program: LIFE Programme
Total Budget: € 113.100,00 / LIFE Programme funding: € 99.783,60
Duration: 36 months
Coordinator: Município de Machico - Museu da Baleia da Madeira
Project location: Madeira, Portugal
Entities involved:
Município de Machico - Museu da Baleia da Madeira
IFCN - Instituto Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM
Know more about the project
All pictures credited to: © Museu da Baleia da Madeira