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ISRA FACTSHEETS

EUROPEAN ATLANTIC

ISRA FACTSHEETS

EUROPEAN ATLANTIC

Ferraria ISRA

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Ferraria ISRA

Ferraria

Summary

Ferraria is located off São Miguel Island in the Azores Archipelago of Portugal. It is situated along the northern slope of the Monaco Graben between Ginetes and Feteiras parishes. The area comprises pelagic waters above predominantly fine sediment substrates interspersed with volcanic rocky outcrops. Turbidity and bottom currents enhance vertical mixing and nutrient flux through this tectonically complex region. Within this area there are: threatened species and undefined aggregations (Sicklefin Devil Ray Mobula tarapacana).

Ferraria

Ferraria

DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT

Ferraria is located off São Miguel Island in the Azores Archipelago of Portugal. It is situated along the slope between Ginetes and Feteiras parishes, within the Ponta Delgada municipality. The substrate is composed predominantly of fine sediment interspersed with volcanic rocky outcrops (Weiß et al. 2016). This slope, also known as the Northern Monaco Graben Shoulder, transitions into the Monaco Graben, a tectonically complex region marked by fault scarps, volcanic ridges, and structural gateways (Weiß et al. 2016).

Turbidity and bottom currents enhance vertical mixing and nutrient flux (Weiß et al. 2016). Regional circulation is shaped by the North Atlantic Current to the north and the Azores Front/Current System to the south, which together delineate the boundary of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre (Pérez et al. 2003; Caldeira & Reis 2017). These oceanographic features promote phytoplankton retention and productivity, fuelling secondary production (Amorim et al. 2017). Sea surface temperatures range from ~15°C in March to ~25°C in late boreal summer, with peak chlorophyll concentrations occurring during the spring bloom and declining through summer (García et al. 2022).

This Important Shark and Ray Area is pelagic and is delineated from surface waters (0 m) to 1,675 m based on the bathymetry of the area.

CRITERION A

VULNERABILITY

One Qualifying Species considered threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species regularly occurs in the area. This is the Endangered Sicklefin Devil Ray (Marshall et al. 2022).

CRITERION C

SUB-CRITERION C5 – UNDEFINED AGGREGATIONS

Ferraria is an important area for undefined aggregations of one ray species.

Opportunistic boat-based sightings of sharks and rays around São Miguel Island from ecotourism companies focused mainly on whale-watching, as well as also scuba diving boats, sailing charters, and observations from independent collaborators were gathered into a database (Elasmobase Azores unpubl. data 2024). Between April–October 2024, for each observation, the following information was collected: species, number of individuals, size estimate, behaviour, location, observer, and company. Of 145 occasions reported by 10 different organisations, 26 were of Sicklefin Devil Rays, 14 of which were within this area. Sicklefin Devil Rays were estimated to measure 200–250 cm disc width. Seven instances were reports of aggregations of 8–15 (average = 12) individuals (all within this area) observed between June–August (Elasmobase Azores unpubl. data 2024). Aggregations of Sicklefin Devil Rays are known to occur in the Azores between June–October (Sobral & Afonso 2014).

Additionally, a tailored interview survey was developed to gather local ecological knowledge (LEK) from São Miguel’s commercial fishing community (Elasmobase Project unpubl. data 2025). One on one interviews using semi-structured questions followed the snowball technique, and images of live and dead shark and ray species common to the Azores were used to aid responses of respondents. Whenever possible, interviews were held with vessel captains, and if unavailable, the first officer was interviewed. Vessel selection was random. Of 27 interviews, 13 responded about the frequency of Sicklefin Devil Ray observations around São Miguel, and four, with more than 10 years of experience, reported the sightings as often, frequently, or always (Elasmobase Azores unpubl. data 2024). Of the eight that named the main areas where they most see Sicklefin Devil Rays, four pointed to this area. The presence of Sicklefin Devil Ray aggregations in this area was also supported by all six divers from four different companies that were informally interviewed, and three experienced spearfishers (27–42 years fishing), having dived in this area for 6–20 years. They all reported opportunistic observations of Sicklefin Devil Rays as single individuals or within aggregations, mainly from July to October each year.

Ferraria

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