Mission

The central mission of the Regional Directorate for Maritime Affairs is to enhance the value of the seas in the Azores by increasing their usefulness, maintaining their spleness and ensuring their environmental quality. Activities related to the protection of the marine environment, including the implementation or strengthening of marine protected areas, and their biodiversity, deserve particular attention.

This Executive Service therefore intends to respond to challenges such as the implementation of the Azores Marine Park, to complete the Azores Maritime Spatial Planning Plan, always with a view to contributing to the maintenance or restoration of the environmental quality of our sea.

At the same time, in order to stimulate the balance between the different pillars of sustainable development, we will help generate new activities using marine resources, such as the production of alternative energy to fossil fuels. As a consequence of the global use of thermal energy, this service will coordinate the investment needed to adapt the coastal areas of the Azores to global climate change.

Obviously, all these activities will always, up to the limits of what is defined by law or in their own interest, be accompanied by active citizens committed to informed and meaningful participation.

Organisational competencies

Soon (pending publication of the XIII GRA departmental organic diplomas).

Main objectives

Implement the Azores Marine Park;
Complete the Azores Maritime Spatial Planning Plan on the basis of sound scientific criteria;
Contribute to maintaining or restoring the environmental quality of the sea;
Generate new activities using marine resources;
Making the necessary coastal adaptations to climate change;
Promote active and informed citizenship.

Strategy

Identifying opportunities and failures and applying sustainable development techniques, i.e. basing action on the best available knowledge and maintaining a balance between economy, society and the environment.