The Regional Government signed the Hamilton Declaration for Sargasso Sea Conversation today in Bermuda. The Region will share its experience in this cooperation partnership established between countries, regions and non-governmental organisations, which recognises the pioneering and innovate role of the Azores in the definition of governance policies for ocean marine environments.

"The region has taken a political position that defends the sustainable development of economic activities related to the sea, based on the conservation of species and habitats," said the Regional Secretary for Natural Resources. As he revealed this situation is acknowledged "both nationally and internationally, especially in Europe."

Luís Neto Viveiros is in Bermuda, where he will attend the meeting that precedes the signing ceremony. The government official recalled that the Autonomous Region of the Azores "as a pioneer in the designation of deep-sea marine protected areas that are legally included in the Azores Marine Park. The aim is to preserve hydrothermal ecosystems as well as other vulnerable marine ecosystems associated with seamounts, which are located both inside and outside the sub-area of the Exclusive Economic Zone."

"It should be noted that the Azores have taken active part in the definition of the criteria to identify Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas - EBSAs under the Conference on Biological Diversity. It served as the basis for the Hamilton Declaration," stressed the government official.

With regard to the Sargasso Sea Alliance, to which the Region was invited to join, Luís Neto Viveiros stressed that "the Azores considered that the Sargasso Alliance should not regarded as a regional initiative (promoted by the Government of Bermuda), but mainly as inspiring model for the protection and management of other oceanic regions that are not subject to the jurisdiction of countries."

"The oceanic and geographic nature of the Azores fully justifies the solidarity of the Azorean Government towards the Government of Bermuda in defence of this common cause and its adherence to the Sargasso Sea Alliance," said the Regional Secretary.

Being considered a "floating forest," the Sargasso Sea (seaweed) is a vital habitat for many epipelagic species that are found in the North Atlantic, from invertebrates and fishes to marine reptiles, birds and mammals. It is a unique biogeographic region in terms of its oceanographic and biological complexity, whose ecological value is incalculable.