Regional Government provides authorisation forms for activities in Marine Park - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies, announced that application forms for authorisation of activities and restricted uses in the Azores Marine Park are now available.

This procedure, managed by the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network Management Authority (RAMPA), covers the ocean area between six and 200 nautical miles from the coast.

The Marine Park is divided into two levels (full protection and high protection), requiring prior authorisation from the Management Authority for carrying out specific activities in these areas.

With a view to ensuring rigorous monitoring and simplifying the process for users, two separate forms have been created: one exclusively for the fisheries sector and the other for scientific and maritime tourism activities.

The Managing Authority clarifies that the only exception to the requirement for prior authorisation will be tuna fishing using pole and line gear in high protection areas.

This exemption will take effect as soon as the law approved in January by the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores comes into force.

It should also be noted that the validity of RAMPA authorisations will always be subject to the duration and frequency of the other licences legally required for each activity.

Interested parties can access the electronic forms in the licensing area of the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies at the following address: https://servicos-sraa.azores.gov.pt/doit/servicos.asp?id_dep=10&id_form=77.