Some basic marine ecological, systematical and biogeographical research are required to place the Azores into its proper context in the Northeast Atlantic. Some groups have been well studied (e.g. algae, fish, amphipods, decapods, tunicates) and biogeographic conclusions can be taken, in others there are huge gaps. Comprehensive catalogues of the flora and fauna would be immensely useful for future studies on the conservation of biodiversity in this area of the Northeast Atlantic. There is also a need for further basic survey work to describe major habitats and communities (biotopes) throughout the Archipelago.

This work needs to be extended beyond the limits of diving, using remote vehicles and submarines. Of particular interest are the various seamounts in the area. Some interesting communities surrounding volcanic springs and vents were recently discovered around 1,100 to 1,700 m depth at the Lucky Strike and 860 to 970 m depth at the Menez Gwen. The Azores constitute also a very interesting area for shallow and deep vent studies. Shallow water hydrothermal vents are known on D. João de Castro seamount and around São Miguel island.

The littoral is under extremely heavy pressure from subsistence, semi-commercial and recreational collectors, rod and line fishermen. The offshore banks and seamounts are now being increasingly exploited by line fishermen and this will inevitably affect top predators. Snagged and lost gear, plus anchoring may also have impacts on benthic communities. Various regulations have been enacted to stave off the feared loss of some littoral shellfish in the Azores. It could also be argued that there is a case for designating at least one or two seamounts as reserves. In effect the Formigas, which barely jut above the surface, fulfill, only partially, this need. Other suitable seamounts need to be described and proposed as potential submarine reserves - although given their commercial importance it will be difficult to persuade the fishing community of this necessity. However, this measure could contribute to the conservation of exploited demersal species and be of primary interest for the future of the demersal fisheries in the Azorean EEZ.

Other aspects deserving close attention are the impacts of climate change. It is now well established that global climate is changing and that these changes will have impacts on the marine fauna and flora, both at global and regional scales. It is probable that in the Northeast Atlantic there will be an increase in sea temperature. An increase of the temperature of coastal waters, even if only of a few degrees, will lead to the loss of many cold temperate forms, which reach here the southern limit of their distribution. If in continental seas the losses may be followed by a concomitant increase of warm temperate and sub-tropical species, in the case of the most isolated Atlantic islands of the Azores it is unlikely that losses of "northern forms" will be followed by the concomitant substitution (or increase) of "southern forms". Most of the coastal fishes have a limited capacity to transpose, as adults, the great extensions of deep ocean that separates the islands from the nearest coastal zones. Recolonization would have to be done through larva dispersion. Given the distances involved and the differences of larval biology of the coastal and benthic forms, it could be expected that the loss of northern forms would reduce the global biodiversity in these islands. This can only be minimized by colonization by species with great capacity for dispersal. There is a need of detailed investigation, both on historical data bases and on comparative and empirical research, in order to characterize the composition and variations of both coastal and pelagic assemblages. Programs for monitoring are to be established.

There is a profusion of legislation for conservation in the Azores. It needs, however, to be implemented and enforced. It also needs to be respected. Therefore the most important way of promoting marine conservation in the Azores is by education - both formally in schools and informally for adults and visitors. Interest in promoting echo-tourism is now growing. Whale watching and underwater tourism are spreading.

Research at the marine ecology and biodiversity group is to be built under the assumptions made above.