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Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Paulo Estêvão chaired signing of strategic agreement between EMA-Space and Azores Maritime School
Paulo Estêvão chaired signing of strategic agreement between EMA-Space and Azores Maritime School
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Regional Government reiterates support for fishing sector affected by rising fuel costs
Regional Government reiterates support for fishing sector affected by rising fuel costs
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Regional Government organised scientific workshop to support development of RAMPA Monitoring and Evaluation Programme
Regional Government organised scientific workshop to support development of RAMPA Monitoring and Evaluation Programme
May 20, 2026
Paulo Estêvão chaired signing of strategic agreement between EMA-Space and Azores Maritime School
April 29, 2026
Regional Government reiterates support for fishing sector affected by rising fuel costs
April 23, 2026
Regional Government organised scientific workshop to support development of RAMPA Monitoring and Evaluation Programme
News
Nota de Imprensa
May 20, 2026
Paulo Estêvão chaired signing of strategic agreement between EMA-Space and Azores Maritime School
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, chaired today the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço) and the Association for the Development and Training of the Azores Sea (ADFMA), the entity responsible for managing the Azores Maritime School. The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, was also present at the session. The agreement aims to promote structural synergies between the space and maritime sectors, establishing the Autonomous Region of the Azores as an integrated Atlantic ecosystem for technological innovation. According to Paulo Estêvão, who is responsible for the space sector within the Azorean Government, the joining of forces between both entities enhances the Region’s geostrategic value. Reiterating the importance of the regional commitment, Paulo Estêvão pointed out “the strategic advantages that come with the creation of a space ecosystem in the Azores. He pointed out that this will highlight the importance of the archipelago, which was already, from a maritime standpoint, very important, and which is now being reinforced in a new sector as important as space.” One of the key priorities of the agreement now signed is the functional expansion of the future Azores Technology Free Zone (ZLT) to the island of Santa Maria. The Azores Maritime School will actively collaborate in boosting the maritime component of this infrastructure, creating operational conditions for conducting technological trials, ocean-space testbeds, demonstrations of technologies applied to both sectors, and other relevant activities. The partnership also focuses on technical and operational capacity building, promoting training initiatives that apply space technology to the blue economy. Key training areas include Earth observation, satellite navigation, use of drones and autonomous systems, maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring and digital mapping. In terms of research and innovation, the document provides for the development of direct applications for sustainability and the ocean economy. The collaboration aims to leverage the use of spatial data for coastal and ocean monitoring, marine pollution detection, fisheries and aquaculture support, smart port management, ocean-climate observation, creation of digital twins of the ocean, civil protection and natural hazard monitoring, as well as maritime spatial planning and management. EMA-Space remains responsible for the strategic coordination and framework of the space dimension, whilst ADFMA ensures operationalisation, capacity building and the application of technology to the maritime sector. For ADFMA, as represented by the President of the Board of Directors, Ana Rodrigues, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the institution’s role in innovation within the maritime sector. “Establishing this partnership enables us to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and technology in the maritime sector, reinforcing our mission to train highly qualified professionals who are prepared for the emerging challenges of the blue economy,” she emphasised. With this joint initiative, the Regional Government is establishing the archipelago as a centre of excellence and an international benchmark in the convergence of space and the ocean.
May 20, 2026
Paulo Estêvão chaired signing of strategic agreement between EMA-Space and Azores Maritime School
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, chaired today the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Azores Mission Structure for Space (EMA-Espaço) and the Association for the Development and Training of the Azores Sea (ADFMA), the entity responsible for managing the Azores Maritime School. The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, was also present at the session. The agreement aims to promote structural synergies between the space and maritime sectors, establishing the Autonomous Region of the Azores as an integrated Atlantic ecosystem for technological innovation. According to Paulo Estêvão, who is responsible for the space sector within the Azorean Government, the joining of forces between both entities enhances the Region’s geostrategic value. Reiterating the importance of the regional commitment, Paulo Estêvão pointed out “the strategic advantages that come with the creation of a space ecosystem in the Azores. He pointed out that this will highlight the importance of the archipelago, which was already, from a maritime standpoint, very important, and which is now being reinforced in a new sector as important as space.” One of the key priorities of the agreement now signed is the functional expansion of the future Azores Technology Free Zone (ZLT) to the island of Santa Maria. The Azores Maritime School will actively collaborate in boosting the maritime component of this infrastructure, creating operational conditions for conducting technological trials, ocean-space testbeds, demonstrations of technologies applied to both sectors, and other relevant activities. The partnership also focuses on technical and operational capacity building, promoting training initiatives that apply space technology to the blue economy. Key training areas include Earth observation, satellite navigation, use of drones and autonomous systems, maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring and digital mapping. In terms of research and innovation, the document provides for the development of direct applications for sustainability and the ocean economy. The collaboration aims to leverage the use of spatial data for coastal and ocean monitoring, marine pollution detection, fisheries and aquaculture support, smart port management, ocean-climate observation, creation of digital twins of the ocean, civil protection and natural hazard monitoring, as well as maritime spatial planning and management. EMA-Space remains responsible for the strategic coordination and framework of the space dimension, whilst ADFMA ensures operationalisation, capacity building and the application of technology to the maritime sector. For ADFMA, as represented by the President of the Board of Directors, Ana Rodrigues, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the institution’s role in innovation within the maritime sector. “Establishing this partnership enables us to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and technology in the maritime sector, reinforcing our mission to train highly qualified professionals who are prepared for the emerging challenges of the blue economy,” she emphasised. With this joint initiative, the Regional Government is establishing the archipelago as a centre of excellence and an international benchmark in the convergence of space and the ocean.
Nota de Imprensa
April 29, 2026
Regional Government reiterates support for fishing sector affected by rising fuel costs
Following the European Commission’s recent activation of the crisis mechanism under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), enabling Member States to offset the impact of the Middle East conflict on the sector, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to supporting fishers, aquaculture producers, the processing industry and traders whose livelihoods have been affected, particularly by the significant rise in fuel costs. In this context, it is envisaged that, through a reprogramming of the MAR 2030 Programme, this European instrument will be mobilised with a view to mitigating the effects felt in the field and strengthening the sector’s resilience. In an initial phase, provisions will be made for the financial allocation in the reprogramming of the MAR 2030 Programme, as well as for the development of a simplified cost methodology by the Programme’s Managing Authority. This will be aligned with the experience gained in the previous programming period and will subsequently be submitted to the Inspectorate-General of Finance for an opinion. The Regional Government will continue to monitor this process closely, emphasising that the practical implementation of these measures will depend on the European Commission’s approval of the simplified cost methodology, whilst remaining committed to ensuring a swift and effective response to the sector’s needs.
April 29, 2026
Regional Government reiterates support for fishing sector affected by rising fuel costs
Following the European Commission’s recent activation of the crisis mechanism under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), enabling Member States to offset the impact of the Middle East conflict on the sector, the Azorean Government reiterates its commitment to supporting fishers, aquaculture producers, the processing industry and traders whose livelihoods have been affected, particularly by the significant rise in fuel costs. In this context, it is envisaged that, through a reprogramming of the MAR 2030 Programme, this European instrument will be mobilised with a view to mitigating the effects felt in the field and strengthening the sector’s resilience. In an initial phase, provisions will be made for the financial allocation in the reprogramming of the MAR 2030 Programme, as well as for the development of a simplified cost methodology by the Programme’s Managing Authority. This will be aligned with the experience gained in the previous programming period and will subsequently be submitted to the Inspectorate-General of Finance for an opinion. The Regional Government will continue to monitor this process closely, emphasising that the practical implementation of these measures will depend on the European Commission’s approval of the simplified cost methodology, whilst remaining committed to ensuring a swift and effective response to the sector’s needs.