The appearance of novel marine species, invasive or not, for the Algarve region is increasing over the last years. So far, the major reports have been made for the Guadiana estuary and Ria Formosa, with species like weakfish Cynoscion regalis or blue crab Callinectes sapidus, both native to North America. So far these reports are mainly localised in the Sotavento area of Algarve, which these new reports came to show that similar processes are occurring in the western Algarve (Barlavento area).

 

Three of these species are first records of occurrence for the Portugal continental coast. Species extending their geographic range due to climate change must also be included in local resources management. Warming sea temperatures are forcing a poleward movement of species in the North Atlantic, similar to what has been widely reported in the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, managing invasive species introduction along with “natural” expansion of species is a research area of upmost importance.