Information: Azores are one of the most studied regions on possible environmental impacts of deep-sea mining
"For the first time in the history of ocean exploration," we are debating "the impacts of an activity before being carried out," the Regional Directorate for Maritime Affairs said, alluding to deep-sea mining. "At this moment, before starting an industrial activity, policy-makers, politicians and the society have the opportunity to debate, know and better study the impact that are foreseeable for... more >>

Information: Government of the Azores participates in international project under Sea Cluster Programme
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Fund for Science and Technology and the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs, is participating in the workshop to launch the SMARTBLUE project in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. This project falls within the INTERREG VA Spain-Portugal MAC (Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands) 2014-2020 Cooperation Programme. It aims to ensure the growth of small and medium-... more >>

Information: Hamilton Declaration is in line with regional policies for the sea, says Regional Director for Sea Affairs
The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stated in Horta that the Hamilton Declaration is in line with the Regional Government's policies for the sea, stressing the "need to protect marine biodiversity also in areas beyond national jurisdiction." Filipe Porteiro spoke at the opening of the annual meeting of the Sargasso Sea Commission and the signatory parties of the Hamilton Declaration that will al... more >>

Information: Azores have 70 bathing waters approved for 2017
The ordinance approving the official list containing bathing and coastal waters of the Azores for 2017 and the respective bathing seasons was published today in the Official Journal. The archipelago has a total of 70 approved bathing water. The start of the bathing season, depending on the zone, occurs between June 1 and July 1 and ends between August 1 and October 14. The island of São M... more >>

Information: Azores are hotspot for filming in open and deep ocean, says Regional Director for Sea Affairs
The Regional Director for Sea Affairs welcomed the fact that the new series produced by BBC1 "Blue Planet" features "several scenes shot in the Azores Sea," adding that this new series will be released "later this year". "The Azores are a hotspot for filming in open and deep ocean," Filipe Porteiro said, adding that "we need to explore the potential" of the Azores Sea as "a privileged place to sho... more >>

Information: Azores with 70 bathing waters identified in 2017, six more than last year
The Regional Director for Sea Affairs announced that the archipelago of the Azores will have "70 identified bathing water in 2017, six more than last year," adding that "the newly distinguished bathing water are located on the island of Pico." "The identification of bathing water is a guarantee of quality to the European Commission," said Filipe Porteiro. He noted that the inclusion of bathing wat... more >>

Information: Porto Novo on Corvo Island to be subject to protection and rehabilitation works
The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stressed today the Regional Government's commitment to "protect and enhance historic and natural maritime heritage," namely the relevant assets for cultural tourism and the preservation of collective maritime culture in the Azores. Filipe Porteiro spoke at the presentation of the intervention project in Porto Novo and the surrounding area, a work that will be... more >>

Information: SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign 2016 to run in the Azores until November 15
The SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign 2016 has already started on all islands of the Azores. This initiative has been held on annual basis since 1995 and aims to ensure the conservation of these iconic seabirds and promote public participation environmental awareness raising actions. During the months of October and November, juvenile specimens begin to leave their nests. When attracted by strong ar... more >>

Information: Regional Director for Sea Affairs defends gradual increase in geolocation and remote sensing for monitoring
The Regional Director for Sea Affairs defended in Horta the need for a "gradual increase" in the use of geolocation technologies and remote sensing to "boost the efficiency" of surveillance and supervision in vast and remote areas of the Azores Marine Park . Filipe Porteiro spoke on the sidelines of the meeting of the Advisory Board of the Azores Marine Park, which analysed topics such as the deve... more >>

Information: "Azores Between Seas 2016" campaign promotes literacy on oceans
The "Azores Between Seas" campaign, promoted by the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs, is taking place on all islands of the archipelago until June 8, World Oceans Day, under the theme "Marine Education." For the Regional Director for Sea Affairs, this initiative is "an opportunity to disseminate and raise the awareness of society for the importance of knowledge on the oceans. In this regard, h... more >>