Aveiro - Nazaré (26972)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Aveiro - Nazaré
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.2225, Longitude: -8.9575
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 2913.98921
Protected area coverage (%): 99.97
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This area is defined by the presence of a Globally threatened bird, the Balearic Shearwater, which occurs mainly in shallow coastal areas (Louzao et al. 2006). The water depth increases from 10 to 70 m at the end of the IBA, 25 km from the coast. The boundaries of the IBA stretch from 4 km north of Praia de Mira and 4 km south of Praia da Vieira, being this coast characterized by an extensive chain of dunes and some limestone cliffs in the Figueira da Foz area. The mouth of the Mondego river, at the centre of the IBA, is recognized as being of ornithological importance (IBA PT039), as is the Ria de Aveiro ZPE, also designated as an IBA (PT007), north of the proposed area. In terms of fishing, the Figueira da Foz harbour is one the most important in the country for off-loading pelagic species such as the sardine, since dragnet fishing and longline fishing are residual in this area.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: The migratory and wintering habits of the Balearic Shearwater on the Portuguese coast have been known for several years (Paterson 1997). It already existed regular records of significant gatherings for this species here (Petronilho et al. 2004), being its importance confirmed during the Marine IBA LIFE project. Other species observed in this IBA: Common Scoter, Cory's Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Wilson's Storm-petrel, Leach's Storm-petrel, Gannet, Great Cormorant, Great Skua, Pomarine Skua, Parasitic Skua, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin.
Habitats
Land use: energy production and mining | fisheries/aquaculture | military | nature conservation and research (1%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |