Exploration of deep sea must adopt sustainable practices, says Fausto Brito e Abreu
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology conveyed the Regional Government's interest in "supporting research studies on the environmental impacts of deep-sea extraction of mineral and energy resources," defending that they can form the basis for the definition of environmental policies regarding the exploration of deep sea in the archipelago.
Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke on the sidelines of the seminar "For the development of an Environmental Management Strategic Plan for deep-sea exploration of minerals in the Atlantic basin," a joint initiative of IMAR-DOP, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the MIDAS project - Managing Impacts of Deep-sea resource exploitation.
"It is particularly significant that this event is being organised in the Azores because it brings together some of the world's leading experts in the field of the evaluation of environmental impacts regarding deep sea-mining," said the government official.
Fausto Brito e Abreu pointed out that the development of the new maritime economy will involve the mining of the ocean floors in the coming decades and, therefore, "it is necessary to ensure the protection of genetic and biological resources in these marine areas".
"We have very important resources in our sea floor, but we have also very vulnerable ecosystems that must be protected," the Regional Secretary defended, adding that "the environmental management plan under preparation safeguard the protection of vulnerable ecosystems and the exploration of the resources that exist in the sea floor."
The seminar, which takes place until Wednesday, brings together forty scientists who will gather and evaluate the available information on the marine environment, including the location of sensitive deep-sea habitats, and identify the nature, distribution and intensity of the impact of mining activities.
This event also aims to analyse the legislation, policies and existing regulations on deep-sea mining at international, regional and national levels, as well as to establish a "route" for the development of an Environmental Management Plan for the Atlantic.