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The main objective is to identify new areas that contribute to the achievement of a consolidated network of marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network in the south-east Atlantic.

The specific objectives are as follows:

• Identification and justification of new areas to be studied in INTEMARES campaigns.
• Preparation of a planning proposal that will be necessary for future proposals for Sites of Community Interest.

• Identification and inventory of environmental cartographic information and uses of the marine environment.
• Implementation of a tool for systematic conservation planning (MARXAN). based on the integration of environmental information, uses and ecosystem services.
• Definition and evaluation of different conservation scenarios.
• Interpretation of results and preparation of the report.
• Actions to disseminate the results.

The MarProtec project of the AZTI entity has worked on the collection of cartographic information of the seabed to carry out a first geomorphological characterization that would serve to identify those areas where habitats of community interest may potentially exist. The project has been part of the complementary projects to LIFE INTEMARES, as the entity has studied the following protected areas located in the southeastern area of the Bay of Biscay: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Deba-Zumaia and the Special Protection Area for Birds of the Mundaka Estuary – Cabo de Ogoño.