José Manuel Bolieiro presented geostrategic value of Azores Sea Cluster to President of the Republic - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, accompanied by the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, demonstrated this Friday the relevance and geostrategic value of the Azores Sea Cluster, at the Maritime School, on the island of Faial.

The initiative, which was part of the official visit of the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to the Autonomous Region of the Azores, followed visits to the islands of Terceira and Pico. It was a moment to establish the role of the sea in the regional development strategy.

During the session, which also included a lecture by Admiral António Silva Ribeiro, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, on the "Geostrategic Value of the Azores," José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted the crucial role that the ocean plays in climate balance, oxygen production, and the regulation of life on the planet. However, he warned of the growing threats posed by pollution, climate change and the overexploitation of marine resources.

"These challenges not only affect biodiversity but also jeopardise the well-being of communities and global food security," he cautioned.

Highlighting the Atlantic identity of the Azores, the President of the Government noted that the Region's blue natural capital, representing almost one million square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone, places the Azores in a prominent position on the international stage, both in terms of resources and scientific research, and in terms of security, defence and situational awareness of the Atlantic.

The head of the Azorean Government reiterated the Regional Government's commitment to establishing the Azores Sea Cluster as a strategic axis for development, linked to Portugal's Blue Hubs Network. He noted that structures such as the Azores Maritime School, which already has a consolidated role in maritime training and safety, will be reinforced with new investments. These include the MARTEC Technopole, a research and business incubation centre for the blue economy to be built in the city of Horta, and the new scientific research vessel "Azores Ocean."

The latter, scheduled for delivery in December 2025, will represent a multidisciplinary research platform capable of operating at depths of up to 5,000 metres, corresponding to an investment exceeding €23 million via the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). It will attract researchers from around the world and train new generations of marine-related technicians and scientists.

Regarding the MARTEC Technopole, scheduled for completion in June 2026, José Manuel Bolieiro stated that it is a flagship project with an investment of over 23.5 million Euros. It will include a blue incubator, an aquaculture centre, and the future Azores Marine Park, positioning the Region as an international benchmark in marine innovation.

During the presentation, the creation of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) was also highlighted. Approved last October, it established more than 287 thousand square kilometres of areas with full or high protection.

"The best science requires the protection of at least 30% of the marine environment, and the Azores have taken on this leadership role with courage and responsibility," he said.

The approved law sets out a strict timeframe until 2030 for the implementation of effective management of this network, with planning measures, management strategies and an adaptive model that integrates the evolution of scientific evidence, ensuring that the new marine park is not limited to formal existence, but effectively fulfils its goals.

The session consolidated the image of the Azores as a territory with a unique maritime calling, capable of reconciling environmental protection with economic development and scientific innovation, and reaffirmed the Regional Government's commitment to investing in the Region's blue future.

“We are leading by example and building a legacy of sustainability, knowledge and prosperity for future generations,” concluded José Manuel Bolieiro.