Azores want to become world reference in sustainable use of the sea, says Gui Menezes
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology announced in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that the Azores will count on the collaboration of an international network of partners with the aim of improving marine conservation, the "Blue Prosperity Coalition."
Gui Menezes spoke on the sidelines of the World Oceans Summit. On the occasion, he stressed that the Blue Prosperity Coalition, presented during the event, has joined the Regional Government in the "ambition to extend the Region's marine protected areas."
The Blue Azores programme was one of the examples presented at this summit. It was created last week on Faial following the signing of a protocol between the Regional Government, the Waitt Foundation and the Blue Ocean Foundation, two partners of that organisation. This programme provides for the conversion of 15% of the Azores Sea into protected areas.
Gui Menezes pointed out that the Blue Prosperity Coalition will contribute to the development of the blue economy in the Region and to the sustainable use of the Azores Sea, as far as this organisation may finance, for example, projects related to marine biotechnology and actions aimed at the promotion of ocean literacy.
"These partnerships are particularly important in order to have an increasingly sustainable economy," the Regional Secretary said, adding that they can also help the Azores "to maintain a sustainable image."
For three days, the World Oceans Summit, hosted by British magazine "The Economist," brought together leaders from various countries, companies linked to the sea, non-governmental organisations and dozens of scientists.
The Regional Secretary for the Sea stated that the summit focused on "the problems and challenges that oceans face," such as climate change, overfishing, illegal fishing and marine litter, namely marine plastic pollution.
According to Gui Menezes, the Azores have "good science, good governance and a well-structured fishing sector." In this context, they have the conditions to be "successful" and to show the world they are a Region that wants to do differently."
"This Government has the ambition to make the Region a reference in the sustainable use of the sea in just a few years and to set an example that can be followed by other regions and countries," stressed the Regional Secretary.