AMACO – Associação Madeirense para a Conservação Marinha

AMACO – Associação Madeirense para a Conservação Marinha is a non-profit organisation based at the Marine Biology Station in Funchal, Madeira, founded in October 2020. Its mission is centred on acquiring scientific knowledge about the marine ecosystems of the Madeira archipelago and raising public awareness of the threats and pressures these ecosystems face. AMACO's members include scientists and concerned citizens with expertise in the particularities of the island's biological communities and habitats, as well as the social issues affecting Europe's Outermost Regions. One of AMACO's flagship initiatives is the M3C project, which maps rhodolith (maërl) beds across the Madeira archipelago. This work involves assessing the extent and distribution of these unique habitats, evaluating their biodiversity, and measuring their blue carbon storage potential. The project is supported by the LIFE programme, the Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) through LIFE4BEST, underlining AMACO's ability to secure international partnerships and funding for marine conservation science. Acting primarily at a regional level, AMACO contributes to the broader European network of marine conservation NGOs, reflecting a commitment to collaborative, science-based approaches to ocean stewardship. Madeira's marine environment, home to cetaceans, sea turtles, endemic fish and important benthic habitats such as rhodolith beds, makes the archipelago a significant area for conservation work of this kind. Through its research, monitoring and awareness-raising activities, AMACO aims to safeguard Madeira's marine heritage while contributing valuable scientific data to regional and international conservation efforts.