The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stated in Lisbon that "the Azores stand out in the national and international scene due to their scientific knowledge on their maritime territory."

"Nowadays, scientific and technological research is the basis for a sustainable economy", Filipe Porteiro said, adding that "it is necessary to maintain sustainability in the marine territory of the Azores, which is achieved with an environmental management policy based on proximity."

The Regional Director spoke Tuesday, as a guest speaker, in the panel on the "Management of the exclusive economic zone and the expansion areas of the continental shelf: current status and future prospects" that was held in the context of the seminar "The Portuguese Maritime Territory: Law of the Sea and Sustainable Management."

"The valuation of marine resources and maritime activities is one of the missions of the Azorean Government," Filipe Porteiro stated, adding that the Government is developing "a solid framework for maritime spatial planning that minimises conflicts, values resources and ensures the sustainability of their exploitation.”

In this context, Filipe Porteiro defended that "the Region should reiterate its powers in the environmental management of its maritime territories." The government official reminded that the Azores have "a modern and dynamic legal framework." Currently, it is being adapted to better respond to the changes and challenges in areas of professional and recreational fishing, maritime tourism activities and exploitation of coastal inert materials.

Filipe Porteiro also called for the need to "recognise threats and risks" such as resource exploitation, habitat destruction, changes in the functioning of ecosystems, marine bioinvasions, pollution, or the effects of climate change.

The Regional Director emphasised the importance of marine protected areas in the Azores; the latter are recognised by the international community. In this context, the government official stressed the need to "improve its management and effectiveness."

According to Filipe Porteiro, environmental education and science communication are also the "cornerstones" of sustainable development.

The seminar "The Portuguese Maritime Territory: Law of the Sea and Sustainable Management" was organised by PONG-Pesca, a platform that comprises eight environmental Non-Governmental Organisation that are working in Portugal in partnership with DGRM.