Media and news Regional Government of the Azores - Communication

Nota de Imprensa
March 24, 2026
António Ventura faz balanço da época venatória e destaca gestão sustentável das espécies e reforço de fiscalização
O Governo dos Açores, através da Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, divulga o balanço final da época venatória 2025/2026 - a apresentação dos dados decorreu no âmbito de uma visita ao Posto Cinegético da Chã da Macela, no concelho da Lagoa. Para o Secretário Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação, António Ventura, os resultados evidenciam “uma gestão responsável e sustentável dos recursos naturais, marcada pela normalidade das atividades, pela segurança e pela fiscalização reforçada”. Este balanço reflete a atividade cinegética desenvolvida em todas as ilhas do arquipélago, com a aplicação de níveis de pressão ajustados à realidade populacional e às especificidades de cada território. Embora a pressão de caça se tenha mantido globalmente semelhante à da época anterior, o Governo Regional aplicou ajustes cirúrgicos fundamentados tecnicamente - o aumento dos dias de caça ao coelho-bravo nas ilhas de São Miguel, Faial e Flores, justificado pelos elevados níveis de abundância da espécie, e a interdição da caça à narceja-comum nas ilhas de São Miguel, Terceira e Faial, em resposta ao declínio observado nas populações nidificantes. Até ao final da época, a Direção Regional dos Recursos Florestais e Ordenamento Territorial emitiu 2.011 licenças de caça, correspondendo a 1.896 caçadores distintos. Deste total, 1.905 licenças foram atribuídas a residentes e 106 a não residentes, mantendo a média da última década. A ilha de São Miguel concentrou o maior número de licenças (924), seguindo-se a Terceira (371), Faial (162), Pico (138), São Jorge (117), Santa Maria (83), Flores (69) e Graciosa (41). A atratividade para caçadores não residentes foi particularmente relevante no Pico (23,2% das licenças), São Jorge (18,%), Graciosa (9,8%) e Terceira (9,4%). Entre 1 de julho de 2025 e 28 de fevereiro de 2026, os Serviços Florestais realizaram 218 ações de fiscalização, num total de 1.087 horas de operação e 770 abordagens no terreno. Registaram-se apenas oito infrações (sobretudo relacionadas com horários interditos, falta de documentação e caça em áreas proibidas), o que demonstra um elevado cumprimento das regras por parte dos praticantes. Durante estas ações, foram inquiridos 421 caçadores (22,2% dos habilitados nesta época), a maioria revelou-se satisfeita com o atual modelo: 60,1% consideram que os períodos de caça devem manter-se e 74,9% defendem a manutenção dos limites diários de abate. Nos próximos meses, o Governo dos Açores irá analisar os indicadores de monitorização das populações, o resultado dos abates e os pedidos de correção de densidade. Estes dados científicos, aliados ao diálogo com organizações de caçadores, agricultores e entidades ambientais, servirão de base para o calendário da época 2026/2027, que inicia a 1 de julho. “O trabalho conjunto entre caçadores, técnicos e entidades parceiras está a fortalecer a resiliência do território e a preparar as ilhas para os desafios futuros”, afirma António Ventura. O governante conclui reiterando que “o compromisso e o respeito pela natureza continuam a ser a base para garantir ecossistemas equilibrados e uma atividade venatória alinhada com a sustentabilidade”.

Nota de Imprensa
March 24, 2026
Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security to launch pilot project for Walking Blood Banks
The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, has determined, pursuant to Order No. 603/2026 of March 23, published in the Official Journal, the creation of a Working Group to develop the Walking Blood Banks pilot project. This innovative initiative seeks to strengthen the Regional Health Service’s response capacity in emergencies and catastrophes. It is inspired by models already studied and implemented internationally, particularly in military contexts and emergency response in remote areas. “This project represents a decisive step towards strengthening the resilience of our healthcare system, particularly in an archipelago such as the Azores, where logistical constraints can jeopardise a timely response,” stated the government official.  The pilot project will be implemented on the islands of Graciosa, Flores and Santa Maria by establishing local pools of blood donors who have been previously identified, assessed and monitored. When necessary, these donors can be quickly mobilised to their respective island health centres, ensuring a swift, safe and effective response in emergencies, such as accidents or other types of trauma. “The aim is to ensure that, even in exceptional circumstances, we can guarantee the rapid and safe supply of blood, saving lives and reducing our reliance on external factors,” emphasised Mónica Seidi. The newly established Working Group comprises representatives from various organisations with technical and operational expertise in this field, namely the Portuguese Blood and Transplantation Institute, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, the Regional Directorate for Health, and the three regional hospitals: Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada, Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island, and Horta Hospital. The primary responsibilities of this group include defining donor selection and recruitment criteria, establishing clinical and operational protocols, drafting a technical and procedural guide, and setting up mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the project. The Working Group will be temporary, overseeing all phases of the pilot project until its implementation, after which the possibility of extending this model to other islands in the archipelago will be assessed. With this measure, the Azorean Government reinforces its commitment to the safety, quality and responsiveness of the Regional Health Service, promoting innovative solutions tailored to the realities of island life.

Nota de Imprensa
March 23, 2026
Regional Government boosts Civil Protection and Fire Service operational capacity with delivery of 19 tactical self-command vehicles
The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the delivery of 19 tactical self-command vehicles to Azorean fire brigades and the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), representing a regional public investment of €866,000. During the ceremony, held at the São Miguel Agricultural Association Pavilion in Ribeira Grande, the head of the Azorean Government highlighted the importance of this investment in strengthening the operational capacity of the civil protection and fire services. The event was also attended by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, and the President of the SRPCBA, Rui Andrade.  “These vehicles were purchased with funding exclusively from the Region, i.e. without any EU co-financing, which is a significant achievement for the Region. They represent another firm step forward in improving our fire services, their responsiveness, and capacity for command and management of operations, as well as their organisational capabilities,” he emphasised. Out of the 19 vehicles, all fitted with specific equipment for setting up an initial command post, 17 were delivered to the 17 fire brigades in the Region and two to the SRPCBA, thereby ensuring “standardisation of command and control resources across the archipelago, as well as consistent operational standards amongst all fire brigades,” he explained. The new vehicles now delivered by the Region were allocated based on objective criteria and the “operational requirements of each fire brigade” to enable them to carry out their mission effectively and “for the benefit of the people and communities on each island,” he added. The public tender for the purchase of these vehicles was launched in May 2025 by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, through the SRPCBA, as part of a comprehensive and consistent strategy to renew fleets and upgrade equipment for fire services across the Region. The President of the Government noted that €8 million has already been invested in upgrading civil protection and fire services, specifically through the purchase of 14 fire engines and a multi-victim trailer, an investment of about €5 million; the purchase of 21 ambulances, an investment of over €1.8 million; the purchase of 70 defibrillators for emergency ambulances, a total investment of €770,000, in addition to the purchase of 19 Tactical Self-Command Vehicles. “This investment has one purpose: serving the people, not only in terms of responding to disasters and emergencies, but, above all, in terms of its capacity for prevention and resilience,” he said. The head of the Azorean Government announced that a public tender is underway to purchase another five fire engines, representing an investment of €2 million. He also mentioned that two new fire engines will soon be delivered to the fire services in Horta and Povoação. Both investments are co-financed by the European Union. On World Meteorological Day, José Manuel Bolieiro also praised the “cooperation” with PMA and its office in the Azores, noting that the installation of new weather radars in São Miguel and Flores, combined with the radar on Terceira, contributes to a better understanding of meteorological phenomena and to prevention, including for civil protection purposes.  Among the guests attending the ceremony were the Mayor of Ribeira Grande, Jaime Vieira; the President of the Azores Fire Federation, José Braia Ferreira; the President of AMRAA, Carlos Ferreira; the President of the São Miguel Island Council, Jorge Rita; as well as representatives from local authorities and regional fire brigades. 

Nota de Imprensa
March 23, 2026
Over a hundred young people from Azores and Madeira at Youth Volunteering Academy
120 young people from the Azores and Madeira have taken part in the Youth Volunteering Academy since 2021. This is a programme shared by the two autonomous regions designed to encourage young people to get involved in volunteering projects in the neighbouring archipelago. The programme is run in the Azores by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Youth. The overall number of participants comprises 61 residents of the Azores and 59 residents of Madeira. The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment emphasised that the level of participation indicates that “this programme is of relevance for young people in both regions, considering what it offers in terms of exchange and opportunities for participation in society and the exercise of active citizenship.” Under this assumption, and following an evaluation of the programme’s implementation, the Regional Government has just increased support for young Azoreans participating in volunteering projects in Madeira to “ensure more attractive conditions for participation,” explained Maria João Carreiro. The improvements to the regulations of the Youth Volunteering Academy, enshrined in an Ordinance published in the Official Journal, include the increase in the support grant awarded by the Government of the Azores to young Azoreans volunteering in Madeira, which now stands at €500/month. This represents an increase of €100 compared to the grant stipulated for 2022. Young Azoreans will also now benefit from support for travel expenses between the airport and their accommodation in Madeira, and vice versa, whilst still benefiting from full support for round-trip travel between the Azores and Madeira, in addition to personal accident insurance coverage.  Accommodation during the volunteering project is provided by the Autonomous Region of Madeira.  Volunteering projects under the Youth Volunteering Academy programme last for one month, between April and November, always starting at the beginning of each month.   Applications from young people and organisations promoting volunteering projects are accepted throughout the year on the Youth Portal, available at juventude.azores.gov.pt. Young people aged between 18 and 30 at the beginning of the volunteering project, who are residents in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, are eligible for the programme. For young people living in Madeira who are volunteering in the Azores, the Azorean Government, through the recently published Ordinance, guarantees not only accommodation but also support for ground transport between their place of residence and the project location. It also provides support for transfers between the airport and the place where they will be accommodated, and vice versa, in addition to social and cultural integration activities.

Nota de Imprensa
March 22, 2026
Public consultation on new fisheries regulations in the Azores
The Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries announced the launch of the procedure for drafting two key ordinances for the fisheries sector in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. These include the adoption of new regulations governing the management of fishing ports and harbours, as well as the second amendment to the general regulations governing the operation of fish auctions, cold storage units, collection points and collection vehicles. The initiative seeks to update the current legal framework by replacing Decree No. 24/2018 of March 19, as amended by Decree No. 42/2019 of June 18, with a new regulatory instrument. The procedure was initiated by the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, who also chairs the committee, in accordance with Article 55 of the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), approved by Decree-Law No. 4/2015 of January 7. According to Article 98(1) of the CPA, an opening notice has been published regarding the commencement of the procedure and the associated public consultation; the documents are available at: https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/srmp/participa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-procedimental. Interested parties have 10 working days from the date of publication (March 20) to register as such and submit comments or suggestions. Any interested party wishing to be registered must submit a written declaration addressed to the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, expressly stating the procedure in question, as well as their name, tax identification number and email address (if available), along with consent for the use of said information for notification purposes, in accordance with Article 112(1)(c) of the CPA. Submissions should preferably be emailed to [email protected], but may also be sent by post to Rua Cônsul Dabney – Colónia Alemã, PO Box 9, 9900-014 Horta, Faial, or by fax to +351 292 240 890. Should there be registered interested parties, a hearing of interested parties will subsequently be held, in accordance with Article 100 of the CPA. Once the consultation phase has been completed, the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries will review the contributions received. The final approval of the regulations will be accompanied by a report containing an overview of the submissions received, as well as a comprehensive assessment and the rationale for the options adopted.

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
Mónica Seidi highlights increased investment in oral health access and prevention
As part of World Oral Health Day, marked today, the Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the Regional Government’s commitment to promoting oral health through specific measures that improve access, prevention and the quality of care delivered to the Azorean population. Among the investments made, special emphasis should be placed on the replacement of 12 dental chairs in Island Health centres, funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), covering five centres in São Miguel, three in Terceira, two in Faial, one in São Jorge and one in Flores, representing an overall investment of about €350,000. The Dental Voucher programme has also been showing encouraging results in improving access to care. Since its launch in October 2025, about 134 applications have been submitted, including 115 on the island of São Miguel and 19 on the island of São Jorge. This measure allows users to access treatment from participating providers, paying just 5% of the total cost, representing an important step towards promoting access to oral health across the Region. Regarding prevention, the Regional Secretary for Health highlighted the excellent results of the Oral Cancer Intervention Programme (PICCOA), coordinated by the Azores Oncology Centre, which aims to detect pre-malignant and malignant oral cavity lesions at an early stage. The programme includes annual screenings targeting specific age groups, consultations for referred cases and the distribution of the Individual Oral Health Report (BISO 40+), thereby strengthening surveillance and ensuring timely referral for specialist treatment. So far, the second phase of the PICCOA programme (2022–2026) has recorded 36,354 screenings, with a participation rate of 29.3%, surpassing the first phase results (2017–2021). World Oral Health Day is being marked with various initiatives at health centres across the island. In this regard, the São Miguel Island Health Unit will host informative exhibitions, health education sessions, screenings and activities for the school community. The activities also include initiatives at various health centres, promoting oral health literacy across different age groups. The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security emphasised that “this is a path that will continue to be consolidated, with a focus on prevention, universal access and the recognition of professionals, ensuring better standards of oral health for all Azoreans, whilst not forgetting the Government’s commitment to move forward, this year, with the creation of a career path for dentists within the Regional Health Service (SRS).”

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
€1.3 million in funding allocated to culture
The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, announced today the breakdown of cultural funding to be allocated to each artistic area under the Legal Support Scheme for Cultural Activities (RJAAC), totalling about €1.3 million. The Order published today specifies the amounts to be allocated across sectors such as the audiovisual sector, the performing and visual arts, heritage, publishing, and interdisciplinary events. According to the government official, the criteria stipulated for allocating these funds “were based on the amounts awarded to applications in the corresponding artistic sectors last year.” The document earmarks €1.164 million for cultural projects, based on annual or biennial programmes or initiatives, with a significant interest in the preservation, enhancement, promotion and dissemination of culture in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. It also stipulates €77,000 for the acquisition, refurbishment, improvement, extension or construction of infrastructures intended for cultural activities. It also allocates €16,000 for the acquisition and conservation of musical instruments, the purchase of uniforms, costumes and repertoire by cultural groups, and a further €15,000 for the costs of publishing cultural works. “This funding was allocated in amounts ranging from €500 to €50,000 per project, depending on the area of activity. This is the main amendment introduced by the new legislation,” stated Sofia Ribeiro. It should be noted that the new regulation was revised by the Regional Government in 2024, and this is the first time that funding has been allocated under the new regulation. According to the government official, cultural agents “now have 15 working days to change the tier they have applied for, if they so wish.” “As they are already aware of their assessment, and consequently of their position on the ranked list, they have a clear idea of the funding that will be allocated, a process which is automatic,” she emphasised. RJAAC remains the main source of support for cultural organisations. The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport also provides funding under the Support Programme for Recreational and Philharmonic Societies (SOREFIL), exclusively for philharmonic societies, as well as for the restoration, conservation and promotion of the whaling heritage of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Nota de Imprensa
March 20, 2026
Regional Government with three European projects approved for agricultural innovation and sustainability
The Azorean Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food, has seen three strategic innovation projects for regional agriculture approved by the European Parliament, focusing on crop diversification, the circular economy and animal welfare. For the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “today is an important day for the Azores.” He emphasised that the approval of these initiatives “demonstrates that Azorean agriculture is a vibrant and innovative force that is essential for the sustainable development of the archipelago.” The three projects, representing an overall investment of around €1.6 million, aim to prepare the sector for new food and environmental requirements: As part of the efforts to promote agricultural innovation, the "AZOREAN COCOA" project has been launched. With a budget of €108,000 and an expected lifespan of 24 months, this pilot study will assess the agricultural and economic viability of growing cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in the Region. With the establishment of experimental plots on São Miguel and Terceira, soils, microclimates and costs will be analysed with the aim of paving the way for a new value-added agricultural sector linked to artisanal chocolate and agritourism. In the area of sustainability and the circular economy, the second phase of the “Bio Filtering” project is moving forward, focusing on the processing and reuse of slaughterhouse waste. Representing an estimated investment of €359,000, the initiative will use natural solutions (such as aquatic plants and accelerated vermicomposting) to transform organic waste into high-quality agricultural compost. The project, which can be replicated across the nine islands, is expected to reduce unprocessed organic waste by up to 5,000 tonnes per year by 2027. The third initiative, “CALF FRIENDLY - Happy Calves,” is aimed at dairy farms on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel. This project has a budget of €1.13 million for the 2026–2028 period. The initiative promotes the suckling of calves for up to three months, a single daily milking and the use of biodiverse pastures. It also provides for the creation of Environmental Credits to offset producers and the awarding of the European “Calf Friendly” label. António Ventura noted that these projects represent a clear “European recognition of the diversification of food production” in the Azores, making a direct contribution “to carbon negativity, soil sustainability, zero waste and a circular economy.” The respective documents will now be submitted to the European Commission, where the technical and financial assessment phase will take place. The submission of these proposals to the European Parliament stemmed from the close institutional cooperation with the MEP for the Azores, Paulo do Nascimento Cabral. According to the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, “this proactive approach between the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food and MEP Paulo Nascimento Cabral has resulted in a direct benefit for the Azorean people.” It will ensure a path for the sector that is “consumer-focused, more resilient and diversified, and aligned with the environmental challenges of the 21st century.”