“SOS Cagarro” campaign is joint effort to protect biodiversity in the Azores - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, highlighted the impact of the "SOS Cagarro" Campaign as one of the main measures to mitigate light pollution in the Region. He emphasised that the initiative, which is now around 30 years old, is consolidating itself each year as a structured operational response, an example of civil society involvement.

Although coordinated by the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies (DRPM), the “SOS Cagarro” Campaign is a collective and participatory effort involving public entities, non-governmental organisations, associations, volunteers and citizens, working together towards the common goal of protecting an emblematic species of the Azores.

According to the assessment carried out, the 2025 edition resulted in the collection of 7,890 Cory's Shearwater specimens throughout the Region, with 7,577 juveniles being released by the sea. During this critical period, the DRPM ensured the referral of injured birds through contracts signed with seven veterinary clinics distributed across the various islands, guaranteeing technical response capacity and animal welfare.

"Thanks to this involvement, we have been able to ensure the territorial coverage and operational effectiveness essential to reducing the mortality of juveniles during their first flight," explained Mário Rui Pinho. He acknowledged the fundamental contribution of partners such as the Association for the Promotion and Environmental Protection of the Azores (APPAA), the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), Montanheiros Association, Marine Waste, Asas do Mar Association and the Azores Sea Observatory, as well as the security forces, fire brigades and local authorities.

"We are developing actions aimed at assessing and mitigating the impacts of light pollution through an integrated approach that reconciles biodiversity conservation with energy efficiency and land use planning," the Regional Secretary stressed, highlighting the contribution of the LuMinAves project, which resulted in a guide to good lighting practices, and the Region's current involvement in the Natura@Night project. These initiatives, in conjunction with technicians, nature rangers, scientific partners and environmental associations, involve the ongoing monitoring, protection and management of seabird nesting colonies in the Azores. These efforts are aligned with the goals of LIFE IP Azores Natura, reinforcing the coherence between seabird protection and regional strategic planning.

Mário Rui Pinho concluded by emphasising that the DRPM will continue to value the contribution of all stakeholders: "This is a path of progress that we want to continue to follow, promoting the analysis of results and remaining open to proposals for improvement that contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of the campaign and the sustainable conservation of the Cory's shearwater species."