By the end of 2024, the Azores have created the largest network of marine protected areas in the North Atlantic, covering 30% of their surrounding waters – an area more than three times the size of mainland Portugal[1]. Half of this protected network has full protection status, which completely prohibits extractive and harmful activities, significantly exceeding the European Union's requirement to fully protect at least 10% of regional waters[1]. The Azores have become a global leader in ocean conservation, and other countries are looking to them for advice on replicating their conservation model[1]. However, this success faces a significant threat – a controversial proposal was put forward at the beginning of 2025 that would allow tuna to be fished with rods in no-go zones[1]. Conservationists warn that passing the measure could turn these landing protected areas into ineffective "paper parks" and violate strict conservation standards set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature[1].