Regional Government raises awareness of school community for importance of protecting the oceans
The Regional Director for Fisheries stated in Vila do Porto that climate change "may condition the abundance of fish" in the Azores Sea "by changing the sea currents and the distribution of resources."
Luís Rodrigues spoke to about one hundred students and teachers at Santa Maria Basic Education and Secondary School during the lecture on "Climate Change - Saving the Oceans," an initiative held under the 2019 Youth Parliament 2019. On the occasion, he stressed that "the ocean is the biggest temperature regulator on the planet and being threatened by global warming."
"It is fundamental that we all understand the influence of the ocean on us and our influence on the ocean," the government official said, noting that "younger generations must be informed about the importance of ensuring the sustainability of the Azores in the future."
The lectures on "Climate Change - Saving the Oceans," aimed at Azorean young people attending basic education and secondary schools, are organised by the Regional Directorates for Education and Fisheries with the purpose of preparing students for the 2019 Youth Parliament.
This initiative includes a component focused on environmental and social responsibility as far as it seeks to "bring the school closer to the sea" by addressing topics related to the importance of the sea and the respect for the oceans, with special emphasis on climate change.
As part of the ocean literacy programme, these lectures fall within the education and awareness-raising strategy implemented by the Regional Directorate for Fisheries. It is intended to raise the awareness of educational establishments for issues related to the oceans and the sustainability of their resources.
This initiative has already covered more than a dozen schools on various islands of the archipelago, benefiting about 850 students. According to the Regional Director for Fisheries, it also "strengthens our goals for the sea."
The Regional Directorate for Fisheries will publish the Code of Conduct for Responsible and Sustainable Fisheries, a technical-pedagogical resource intended to support training and awareness-raising actions.