The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology participated today in the event that marked the end of the 2014 "SOS Cagarro" (SOS Corey's Shearwater) Campaign that was held at the Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School.

Fausto Brito e Abreu said this initiative "honours the Region since it is a good practice in terms of nature conservation and environmental education, with nearly 20 years of existence; its balance has been very positive."

The Regional Secretary for the Sea mentioned that the regional policies targeted at the defence of the marine environment "have made the Azores one of the most sustainable tourist destinations in the world."

The government official raised the awareness of students for the importance of the "SOS Cagarro" Campaign, stressing that "the Azores have a special responsibility in the conservation of this species as nearly two-thirds of the world population of Cory's Shearwaters nest in the Azores."
"It is a characteristic species of our Region that was used in the past by fishers to detect the location of shoal," said the government official.

Held since 1995, the "SOS Cagarro" Campaign is an initiative promoted by the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorates for Sea Affairs and the Environment. It annually saves thousands of juvenile Cory's Shearwater specimens.

During the course of the campaign, several measures were taken to reduce street lighting, especially in the locations that were identified as the most critical in previous years, such as playing fields and fishing ports.

This year, for the first time, there was a training course for ringers on the islands of Terceira, Flores and São Miguel.

The 2014 "SOS Cagarro" Campaign, which involved 315 partners and 2,500 volunteers, saved 2,600 young birds.