Azerbaijan Initiates Creation of First Marine National Park

Azerbaijan has commenced preparations to establish the country's first marine national park, having finalized the comprehensive cartographic mapping of the designated zone. The development was confirmed by Rashad Allahverdiyev, Deputy Head of the Biodiversity Protection Service under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

According to Allahverdiyev, the conservation initiative entails expanding the territorial perimeter of the Absheron National Park to formally incorporate an adjacent maritime area. To protect aquatic fauna and curb illegal fishing and poaching, authorities will deploy routine maritime patrols and enforcement raids. He noted that surveillance protocols across state-protected natural reserves operate continuously year-round, transitioning to 24/7 monitoring shifts during critical fish spawning windows.