Caneiro dos Meros is the only Voluntary Reserve of the Azores, created in 1998, through a combination of efforts between fishermen, divers and the University of the Azores, due to the strong presence of Epinephelus marginatus (meros).

The place is known today as one of the best diving sites in the archipelago, and where it is possible to dive with about a dozen of these curious giants. As it is forbidden to fish here, in addition to the exceptional abundance of these fish, it hosts an extraordinary marine life.