Data Zone
Country/territory: Portugal
IBA criteria met: A1, A4ii, B1ii, C2 (2008)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 106,700 hectares (1,067.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2012 | not assessed | high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2008 baseline)
This area is defined by the presence of a Globally threatened bird, the Balearic Shearwater, which occurs mainly in shallow coastal areas (Louzao et al. 2006). The water depth increases from 10 to 70 m at the end of the IBA, 25 km from the coast.
The boundaries of the IBA stretch from 4 km north of Praia de Mira and 4 km south of Praia da Vieira, being this coast characterized by an extensive chain of dunes and some limestone cliffs in the Figueira da Foz area. The mouth of the Mondego river, at the centre of the IBA, is recognized as being of ornithological importance (IBA PT039), as is the Ria de Aveiro ZPE, also designated as an IBA (PT007), north of the proposed area.
In terms of fishing, the Figueira da Foz harbour is one the most important in the country for off-loading pelagic species such as the sardine, since dragnet fishing and longline fishing are residual in this area.
Key biodiversity
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: The migratory and wintering habits of the Balearic Shearwater on the Portuguese coast have been known for several years (Paterson 1997). It already existed regular records of significant gatherings for this species here (Petronilho et al. 2004), being its importance confirmed during the Marine IBA LIFE project.
Other species observed in this IBA:
Common Scoter, Cory's Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Wilson's Storm-petrel, Leach's Storm-petrel, Gannet, Great Cormorant, Great Skua, Pomarine Skua, Parasitic Skua, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aveiro - Nazaré (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aveiro--nazaré-iba-portugal on 22/12/2024.