29 January 2013: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) reported that the Government of Portugal has named the Paúl da Praia da Vitória in the Azores Archipelago as its 31st Wetland of International Importance.

According to the Ramsar Secretariat, the marsh is located in the urban center of Praia da Vitória, and provides refuge for the mid-Atlantic migratory routes. It also serves as habitat for various endemic species and some endangered fish and mammals. Activities carried out on the site include bird watching, recreation, and educational and environmental awareness initiatives. It is threatened by eutrophication, which is largely due to agricultural run-off.

Portugal’s designation contributes to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]