Facts and Figures (2023)
This document was prepared by the Blue Azores program as part of the proposal to revise the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) and the Azores Marine Park, which will make it possible to safeguard 30% of the Azorean Sea by protecting ocean marine areas. It presents the facts and figures that support this proposal, based on the best available scientific knowledge and co-created with the involvement of sea users through a structured and broad participatory process.
Fisheries as part of the Review of
the Azores' Oceanic Marine Protected Areas of the Azores (2024)
This document was prepared by the Blue Azores program as part of the proposal to revise the Azores Marine Park and the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA). It presents a set of available data on the potential interaction between fishing activities and the "proposal to amend the Azores Marine Park", as well as a set of potential measures to support the restructuring of the fisheries sector, based on international best practices and on measures discussed with fisheries representatives in the Azores.
Media Kit: RAMPA Public Consultation (2023)
This document was prepared and made available by the Blue Azores program to the media outlets of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, during the public consultation phase on the revision of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA), of which the Azores Marine Park is a part. It includes informative content about the RAMPA proposal, framing the key points of Blue Azores, namely information on "The Oceanic Participatory Process," "RAMPA Conservation Goals," "The Natural Values of the Azores Sea," and "Socioeconomic Values."
The Regional Government of the Azores opened this proposed amendment to the current Regional Legislative Decree for public consultation between July 24, 2023, and October 15, 2023.
Blue Paper (2020)
The “Blue Paper” constitutes a survey of scientific knowledge regarding the priority areas for marine conservation in the Azores archipelago.
In order to reduce the socioeconomic impacts of conservation objectives, we opted for a model for prioritizing areas that minimizes the impact on fishing effort.
Economic Valuation of Marine Ecosystem Services in the Azores (2019)
Marine biodiversity ensures a range of ecosystem services that contribute significantly to the wealth and general well-being of the Azoreans. The objective of this report is to identify the most important services provided by the marine environment in the Azores and quantify its economic value.
Azores Coastal Mapping (2023)
This report, developed by the Blue Azores program in 2022 in cooperation with Universidade dos Açores e a National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), University of California, Santa Barbara, presents the results of the responses obtained in the participatory mapping survey, which made possible the assessment of the coastal areas patterns of use in the Azores. In total, 2,483 responses were collected that represent ocean use patterns of 5,050 individuals from all sectors.
Expedition Report (2019)
This report, containing the scientific results of two expeditions, together with the scientific information that has been collected in the Azores over the past several decades, confirms that the marine life of the Azorean Sea is unique, diverse and vibrant. However, it is also fragile and under pressure, and urgently needs protection.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
National Strategy for the Sea 2021-2030
ENM 2021-2030 aims to enhance the contribution of the sea to the country's economy, the prosperity and well-being of all Portuguese, and to respond to the great challenges of the decade, reinforcing Portugal's position and visibility in the world as eminently maritime nation.
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
The strategy aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030, and contains specific actions and commitments. It is the proposal for the EU's contribution to the upcoming international negotiations on the global post-2020 biodiversity framework.
Sustainable Development Goals: #14 Life Below Water
The Global Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seek to end poverty and hunger, realise the human rights of all, achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, and ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is an outcome of the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference. Its tentative title had been the "Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework." The GBF was adopted by the 15th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity on 19 December 2022.
Guidelines for applying the IUCN protected area management categories to Marine Protected Areas
This Guide is a reference for managers of protected areas. Developed in collaboration with experts, it offers practical guidelines for effective and sustainable management.
An Introduction to the Marine Protected Area Guide
The MPA Guide is a science-based tool to identify different types of MPAs and
connect these types of MPAs with the outcomes they are expected to achieve.