José Manuel Bolieiro highligths investment in sea cluster during visit to OKEANOS and MARTEC - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, visited Faial Island today, accompanied by the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, continuing the science and innovation tour that began last Friday in São Miguel and also included a visit to Santa Maria Island.

The visit was intended to deepen knowledge about the scientific and technological capabilities in the Region as well as reinforce the strategic potential of the Azores in the context of the sea and Portugal's Atlantic projection.

In Faial, the agenda focused on the sea, with a visit to the University of the Azores, at the OKEANOS Institute – Institute for Marine Science Research, followed by a visit to the Technopole – MARTEC construction site, an infrastructure under development aimed at strengthening the link between research, innovation and the marine economy. The programme also included a briefing by the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, dedicated to "Technological Marine Issues," focusing on the challenges and opportunities of the sector.

These visits are part of a strategic investment supported by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), through component C10-i04-RAA – Development of the “Azores Sea Cluster,” with financial support amounting to €48.1 million. The investment intends to strengthen permanent and mobile scientific infrastructures for marine science research in a region marked by the geographical dispersion of the archipelago, the size of its Exclusive Economic Zone and its distance from continental research centres.

The plan provides for the construction of a modern research vessel with high technological standards and energy performance, designed to meet current marine research and monitoring needs and promote the sustainable use of the ocean. Two modules are also planned to be incorporated into the operation — a trawl and an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) — and the creation of an experimental marine research and development centre, shared with institutions from the Azores Scientific and Technological System and companies.

This centre will include a “blue incubator” and the Azores aquaculture centre, boosting areas such as fisheries, marine biotechnology, biomaterials, and marine technologies and engineering. The investment is expected to be completed by June 2026.

José Manuel Bolieiro positioned these efforts within the Atlantic role of the Azores and the maritime dimension of the country, defending that "the entire country, if one considers the full extent of its territory, namely through the Azores, its maritime dimension, its Atlantic projection and spatial domain, is a great country in the European context."

For the President of the Government, this dimension "brings with it responsibilities" in terms of strategic investment and knowledge of national potential, with European and global relevance, "starting with the transatlantic relations."

The head of the Azorean Government also stressed that "science, technology and innovation capacity will provide a strong stimulus" for goals such as "economic growth and competitiveness." He considered that working based on existing capacities and untapped potential is essential: "it is knowledge of this potential that brings us together in synergies to strengthen these capacities."

Acknowledging the contribution of the RRP at this stage, José Manuel Bolieiro defended that it is necessary to prepare for the future: "taking into account its end, we need to start outlining strategies for new funds and new opportunities," ensuring continuity and return on investment. The ambition is to “boost return on investment, development, competitiveness, security and defence for Portugal,” reiterating that “the Azores are this benchmark” and that “the Portuguese sea is immense in the context of the European Union.”

The visit was attended by the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, the Mayor of Horta, Carlos Ferreira, the Rector of the University of the Azores, Susana Mira Leal, and the Director of the OKEANOS Institute, Gui Menezes. It highlighted the coordination between the Government, local authorities and academia in establishing Faial as a knowledge and innovation hub linked to the sea.