Mission

The Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies, hereinafter referred to as DRPM, is tasked with contributing to the definition of the regional policy for the economic and environmental enhancement of the maritime space of the Azores. This includes its spatial planning, promoting increased knowledge of the marine environment, licensing the use of the sea—including maritime-tourism activities—and implementing measures aimed at preserving its good environmental status and the resources found therein.

Organic skills

1 - The Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies shall be responsible for:

propose the objectives, priorities and strategy for the formulation of regional policy in the areas of its mission, as well as the measures necessary for the implementation of that policy, including the financing thereof;

b) Promote, prepare, manage and monitor plans, programmes, projects and measures, as well as implement the actions assigned to it, related to the implementation of the mechanisms for implementing regional, national or Community policy, in the areas of its mission;

contribute to the formulation of regional guidelines, within the framework of national or Community policies or provisions, in the fields covered by its mission;

d) Promote and manage the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Situation Plan of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in compliance with applicable regional, national and Community legislation;

(Repealed.)

f) To exercise the functions of environmental authority in the marine environment, under the terms legally established;

g) Cooperate in the management of the maritime public domain;

h) Collaborate with other entities in the field of preventing and combating marine pollution, issuing opinions on specific programmes for preventing and combating major pollution accidents in areas affecting marine resources;

(Repealed.)

j) To promote the economic use of the sea and ensure its sustainability, with emphasis on new activities, including the use of mineral, energy, biochemical and genetic resources;

k) Carry out, promote and support environmental promotion, dissemination, awareness-raising and education activities, in its marine dimension, as well as training and technical dissemination on the environment and management of marine resources;

l) Promote marine scientific research, identifying priorities and fostering innovation in the areas of its mission, in conjunction with other services with technical expertise in the field and propose and implement applied research projects for conservation and sustainability;

m) Coordinate and implement the safeguarding of marine biodiversity and the promotion of nature conservation, including the management of marine protected and delimited areas for the safeguarding of species, habitats and other environmental values;

n) Coordinate monitoring activities and monitor research and bioprospection in the Azores Sea;

o) Promote the integrated management and conservation of marine resources exploited or affected by human activities, in conjunction with other entities competent in the matter;

p) Cooperate with the Regional Government department with competence in maritime transport and with the DRP, with regard to port issues;

q) Cooperate with the National Maritime Authority and other entities with competence to supervise maritime uses and activities;

r) Ensure the implementation of strategic guidelines with application to maritime space and the economy of the sea;

s) Collaborate with other Regional Government services with competence in culture, topics related to maritime heritage, coastal marine environment management, tourism, transport and port sector;

t) Ensure the widespread dissemination of information in the fields of its mission, to the public and other entities, public or private;

u) Propose the adoption of regional legislation in the areas of its competence;

v) To pronounce on regional, national and Community documentation and legislation in the areas within its competence;

w) Ensure the implementation of the measures necessary to comply with the obligations arising from Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008, as amended by Commission Directive (EU) 2017/845 of 17 May 2017, referred to as the "Marine Strategy Framework Directive", and its regulations, providing support and information to entities that hold the competences on certain descriptors;

x) To monitor the articulation with regional, national, Community and international bodies in the areas of relevance for the proper performance of their competences;

y) To exercise powers conferred on it in the field of maritime tourism, in cooperation and integration with the regional directorates responsible for maritime transport, tourism and fisheries, including sustainable management and licensing;

z) Ensure the performance of other tasks that, within its area of competence, are distributed to it or committed to its responsibility.

 

2 - The Regional Director for Maritime Policies is inherently the Director of the Azores Marine Park, under the terms laid down in Regional Legislative Decree No 28/2011/A of 11 November 2011, as amended by Regional Legislative Decree No 13/2016/A of 19 July 2016, and corrected by Corrigendum No 1/2016/A of 21 September 2016, the DRPM being responsible for ensuring technical, logistical and administrative support for its operation.

Article 23 of Regional Regulatory Decree No 21/2022/A of 4 November

Main objectives

Implement the Azores Marine Park;
Complete the Azores Maritime Spatial Planning Plan based on robust scientific criteria;
contribute to maintaining or restoring the environmental quality of the sea;
generate new activities using marine resources;
make the necessary coastal adaptations to climate change;
Promote active and informed citizenship.

Strategy

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