National Platform for Seafood Cuisine “reinforces national presence” in terms of blue economy, says José Manuel Bolieiro - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Azorean Government chaired today the launch of the National Platform for Seafood Cuisine, a joint initiative of AHRESP –Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal and the Regional Government of the Azores, as part of the memorandum of understanding signed in February during the BTL - Better Tourism Lisbon Travel Market.

At the ceremony, held at the Conceição Palace in Ponta Delgada, José Manuel Bolieiro emphasised that the choice of the Region as the headquarters for this National Platform “is a tribute to an entire country. It recognises the Azores and the Azoreans as central to its cultural identity, with the maritime identity that the Region itself embodies.”

For the head of the Azorean Government, the Platform is “further evidence of a national presence” in terms of the “blue economy” centred on the Azores, the local products related to the sea and the “significance of the Azores for the country in terms of identity and territory.”

The National Platform aims to enhance, develop and promote seafood products, whilst preserving culinary traditions and encouraging sustainable practices.

Among the initiatives to be developed under this Platform are the creation of an itinerary of restaurants specialising in local seafood, the promotion of culinary experiences such as workshops and themed dinners, and the “Live Cooking Restaurant” concept, which will be rolled out to other municipalities and islands across the Azores.

“We are not reducing either the gastronomic experience or the Azores to this single area. The Region has many other areas where it is competitive, such as cheese and meat. However, being the national hub for the "seafood cuisine" platform is, above all, about offering visitors a rewarding experience of the sea and local produce,” he explained.

José Manuel Bolieiro defended that the tourism industry is not built solely on promoting a tourist destination or its facilities, but also on providing the right conditions to offer visitors an unforgettable experience that makes them want to return, with gastronomy contributing to this perception.

In view of the opportunities created by the National Platform, the President of the Regional Government called on local authorities to “develop, in partnership with businesses operating in their territories, this aspect of promoting regions and local quality.”

The conference launching the National Platform for Seafood Cuisine was attended by the President of AHRESP, Carlos Moura; the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral; and the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, who delivered a presentation on “Seafood in the Azores.”

The memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Azores and AHRESP was signed in February by the President of the Azorean Government and the President of that national association, Carlos Moura.

Beyond the creation of the National Platform for Seafood Cuisine, an initiative that places the sea at the heart of the Azores’ culinary, tourism and cultural identity, this protocol aims to bolster the regional strategy for the development and promotion of authenticity, sustainability and the enhancement of marine resources. It also seeks to promote the sea as an economic, cultural and identity-defining asset.