From now on, the Autonomous Region of the Azores will coordinate the national working group on protected marine areas. This group will convey the positions taken by the Portuguese delegation at the Intersessional Correspondence Group on Marine Protected Areas (ICG-MPA) of the OSPAR Convention.

The decision was taken at the meeting of ICG-MPA of the OSPAR Convention that was held in the city of Vilm, Germany, where international teams analysed the implementation and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and the preparation of a geographic information system (GIS) containing protected species and habitats.

"This organisation comprises five theme groups and various working groups," the Regional Director for Sea Affairs stated, adding that "the Azores, which are included in the Portuguese representation, have actively participated in several of these working groups, including the one on Marine Protected Areas."

The OSPAR Convention was signed by 15 European coastal European countries that cooperate with the European Union and other international organisations for the protection and conservation of the North East Atlantic and its resources.

Filipe Porteiro stressed that the Azores have seven MPA classified under the OSPAR Convention within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The government official added that the Region "has designated for the first time a MPA outside the EZZ - the Rainbow hydrothermal field."

"The pioneering spirit of the Azores was also evidenced in the designation of three deep-sea MPA in the extension area of the continental shelf adjacent to the Region. In addition, OSPAR has classified the adjacent water column as protect area," revealed the Regional Director.