“Azores lead by example in Marine Protected Areas, but the EU must protect the regional fishing sector,” stresses Artur Lima - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, defended today in Brussels that the European Union (EU) "must protect the fisheries sector and fishers" in the Region following the creation of the largest Marine Protected Area in the North Atlantic.

Artur Lima spoke at the event "What do European Citizens know and think about Marine Protected Areas," hosted by MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral at the European Parliament in Brussels.

"The Azores have a history intertwined with the sea since the 15th and 16th centuries. The sea is our home, and we are working hard to preserve it. For us, the sea is of the utmost importance, and protecting it is vital," stated the Vice-President of the Government.

“The Azores Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) accounts for 30% of the European Union’s EEZ, making it the third largest in the EU and almost 60% of the Portuguese EEZ,” he pointed out, adding that the Region “focuses its efforts on research and the protection of marine biodiversity.”

"The Azores lead by example. We were bold in creating the largest Marine Protected Area in the North Atlantic, but it is important that the EU takes measures to protect fisheries and fishers in the Azores," stressed the government official.

"Our sea adds value and dimension to continental Europe. Let us not forget that the Azores are the westernmost point of Europe and represent the last western border that must be carefully protected and preserved," he pointed out.

The Vice-President mentioned the international recognition that the archipelago has achieved, pointing out the recently awarded international "Peter Benchley Ocean Awards" in the "Excellence in National Leadership" category. 

Artur Lima also addressed the issue of ocean pollution, stressing that “Outermost Regions are not the cause. In the Azores, we are, to a certain extent, paying for the mistakes of others.”

The Vice-President's official trip to Brussels included participation in the 170th Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions, during which an opinion on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 was approved. During the session, amendments to the document supported by the Autonomous Region of the Azores were approved. These are aimed at ensuring recognition of the structural constraints faced by European islands, as well as the outermost status recognised in Article 346 of the TFEU.