To understand how it all began and what led to the creation of the Porto d'Abrigo Rehabilitation Centre for Marine Species, we have to go back to 1991, the same year that Zoomarine opened.
Since it began operating, Zoomarine has frequently received requests for help to assist marine animals in distress. Aware of the importance of being able to intervene and assist in these situations, the company that has owned Zoomarine in Portugal since 1988 began negotiations with the Portuguese government to create a rehabilitation centre.
However, due to the lack of adequate infrastructure to support emergencies involving marine animals in particular, Zoomarine itself took on this responsibility.
In 2002, Zoomarine inaugurated Porto d’Abrigo – the first Rehabilitation Centre for Marine Species in Portugal.
For many years, it was the only facility in the country equipped to receive marine animals for rehabilitation.
In 2025, Zoomarine formalised its participation in the Aquatic Mammals Emergency Response Group (AMERG), becoming one of the founders of this international network promoted by the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM).
The activity of this group consists of bringing together institutions, specialists and qualified resources worldwide to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to emergencies involving marine mammals.