Already online the documentary Madeira Mar Profundo

We already know that the coast of Madeira Island is rocky. What we don’t know is what happens at a depth of 40 meters along that coast. This “hidden” ocean is the target of the Madeira Mar Profundo project that aims to know more about the sea.

Promoted by the Regional Government of Madeira and co-financed by the European Union through the Mar 2020 program, the documentary was made in 10 dives on the Rebikoff-Niggeler Foundation’s LULA 1000 submarine - the only one operating in Portugal qualified to go down to a depth of 1000 meters.

These dives were carried out in four areas: Funchal Bay, Machico, Ribeira Brava and between Madeira and the Desertas Islands (a historic moment, since this was the first time that someone dived there). The main objective is to understand the impact of the known marine litter on habitats, hoping to obtain data on the identification of new ecosystems.

Funchal Bay is the most populated area of the island. Will the depths reveal that? What species are out there? Are there any albafar sharks? MARE researchers like Andreia Braga-Henriques, João Monteiro and João Canning-Clode and other researchers “on board” this adventure give us clear answers to questions like these.

There are many vulnerable habitats in Madeira. This mission will serve to implement a marine strategy framework in which Member States must take the necessary measures to achieve or maintain a good environmental status in the marine environment.

The "guest" black swordfish did not show up, but other equally interesting species did. Much was revealed, but so much remains to be known as the investigators continue their work.

We are now paying attention to the sea: "We can only hope that it is not too late!"

Click on the image to watch it