Introducing a legal management instrument for offshore marine protected areas in the Azores-The Azores Marine Park

► A marine park to create a coherent Azorean network of offshore MPAs was proposed. ► The proposal consolidated offshore MPAs nominated by conservation agencies. ► Site-specific legal guidelines (IUCN-adapted) for MPAs were proposed. ► Public compliance is more achievable with the park being a Portuguese legal entity. ► The park will likely extend its spatial limit to include future new high seas MPAs.