Lophelia.org - Cold-water, deep-sea and deep-water coral resource


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Current conservation status

Norway > UK > Ireland > Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands > Canada > USA > Australia > New Zealand

Location of the Azores, Canary Islands and Maderia © A. Davies (2005). The Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands have many cold-water coral reefs mainly composed of Lophelia pertusa. The reefs are usually found at depths greater than 1000 metres, and are part of the belt of cold-water coral reefs stretching from Norway to West Africa.

Since 2004, the EC has been attempting to amend Regulation (EC) No, 850/98 in order to protect vulnerable deep-water coral reefs from the effects of bottom trawling, around the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands. A short term protection was implemented during 2004, and has now ceased to apply, and effectively banned bottom trawling in areas where these coral reefs were present (Regulation (EC) No 2027/95).

In September 2005, amendments to 850/98 were finalised permanently banning bottom trawl fishing at depths greater than 200 metres in the areas surrounding the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands.