Protect the Capbreton Canyon : establish a genuine Marine Protected Area now !
President Emmanuel Macron; Ministry for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea and Fisheries; The French Office for Biodiversity; The National Council for Nature Protection (CNPN); The Prefect of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region; The European Commission; The European Parliament; The European Environment Agency
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Petition
We call for the swift designation of the French side of the Capbreton Canyon, located in the heart of the Bay of Biscay, as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) with strong and binding protections. This measure is essential to safeguard the area’s unique marine biodiversity and geological features, and to ensure that France’s ocean policies align with its international commitments to protect critical marine habitats in metropolitan waters.
Why is this important?
The Capbreton Canyon is one of the deepest and most ecologically rich underwater canyons in Europe. This natural treasure is home to iconic species like orcas, sperm whales, dolphins, sunfish, and the mythical giant squid, along with vital habitats such as deep reefs and submarine caves.
In 2025, the EU protected the Spanish side of this ecosystem via the Natura 2000 network — now the French side urgently needs protection too.
✊ OUR DEMANDS
✅ Protect the Capbreton Canyon as a Marine Protected Area (MPA)
→ Following the recent the Spanish designation (Natura 2000 site Jaizkibel–Capbreton).
→ The National Council for Nature Protection (CNPN), in its March 2025 advisory (self-referral – deliberation no. 2025-11), highlighted the canyon’s exceptional character as “a global rarity” and recommended “identifying the French sector of the Capbreton Canyon as a Strong Protection Zone (ZPF) in the short term, even though it is not currently proposed for designation before 2027.”
✅ Preserve its exceptional biodiversity
→ Orcas, sperm whales, fin whales, minke whales, giant squids, deep-sea habitats, underwater caves, unique marine ecosystems, nurseries and migratory corridors — including in the shallower coastal waters surrounding the canyon.
✅ Protect its unique oceanographic dynamics
→ Which form remarkable waves, supporting surfing, artisanal fishing, and coastal ecosystems.
✅ Strengthen France’s Marine Protected Areas
→ With real enforcement against overfishing, pollution, and industrial activities, especially in deep-sea canyons.
✅ Apply in mainland France the same ambition shown overseas
→ France recently announced the creation of the world’s largest MPA in French Polynesia.
→ Yet only 0.1% of metropolitan waters are under strong protection, with a new target of just 4%.
→ Let’s also protect the Bay of Biscay — starting with the Capbreton Canyon!
We, citizens, associations, and committed stakeholders, urge immediate action to safeguard this exceptional and fragile natural heritage.
Sign this petition to demand the protection of the Capbreton Canyon and the Bay of Biscay — so that France can truly lead on marine conservation.
Together, let’s protect our ocean — our future depends on it.