International Memorandum of Understanding evidences ambition and leadership of the Azores in management of the Sea, says Vasco Cordeiro
The Government of the Azores signed today a Memorandum of Understanding with the Blue Ocean and Waitt Foundations establishing the creation of several measures for the preservation and sustainable management of the Sea. According to Vasco Cordeiro, this partnership has is another example of the Region's leadership and ambition in this area.
"This is a matter of vital importance for the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Our motivation in this project is based on three ideas: leadership, ambition and future," assured the President of the Government. He spoke at the ceremony formalising this international partnership that took place at the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre on the island of Faial.
Among other measures, the Memorandum of Understanding provides for the implementation of new marine protected areas that will cover 15% of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Azores, representing an area of approximately 150 square kilometres. It also foresees the updating and implementation of management plans for these areas, the development of innovative approaches contributing to the sustainable management of fisheries, the reconciliation of the various uses of the sea and the implementation of a blue literacy programme among younger generations.
According to him, the Azores play a leading position, not only regarding their geographic location but also regarding the size of their maritime area, covering about one million square kilometres, an area equivalent to the territories of Germany and France together.
"The Region also play a leading role in what our Political-Administrative Autonomy has allowed us to achieve since 1976. We are pioneers in various areas and our concern with the conservation and the sustainable management of resources is always present," the President of the Government said, highlighting the "close relation between the Azoreans and the Sea."
Vasco Cordeiro pointed out that the Azores have been pioneers in the creation of protected marine areas for over 40 years. This effort endures and, in this context, there is a series of measures banning the use of certain fishing gear that are supported and based, to a large extent, on the research conducted by the University of the Azores.
"This leadership is regarded as exclusive or by opposition. With this leadership of the Azores, we are also contributing to the leadership of our country in these domains," said Vasco Cordeiro.
In his speech, the President of the Government stressed, on the other hand, the Government's ambition in this area, reiterating we will not be limited to what has already been possible for the Azores to achieve in the sustainable management of the Sea.
"This is a starting point. We are not limiting ourselves to what we have already achieved, and we think it is possible to do more and better given the importance of these areas, but also because of the work we have already done to open new horizons," such as the case of the partnership now signed with both foundations.
"We are committed to this "Blue Azores" project, which, for the Government of the Azores, is a strategic investment for our future," Vasco Cordeiro said, admitting that it is necessary to have the humility to acknowledge "the existence of many obstacles" arising during this process.
At this ceremony, the President of the Government defended the need to transpose the collective interest embodied in this Memorandum of Understanding to the individual interest of each one of those living from sea activities in the Region.
"It is necessary that fishers, who are not here in this room, realise that what we have been doing here will result in benefits for their lives," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.
"If we are able to demonstrate this advantage for the collective interest and for those living from sea activities, whether through education or through the creation of measures, we have the conditions to extend the time span of this project," said the President of the Government. In this regard, he conveyed his confidence in the capacity of various partners of the sector to take this path.
"In fact, they have already done so. It has already been possible to create areas of protection in the Azores based on the will of our fishers and without the imposition of the law. This ensures that the usefulness, importance and strategic sense of this approach have all the conditions to endure in time," concluded Vasco Cordeiro.