PAN/Açores proposes stronger Sargasso Sea protection

PAN/Açores sole deputy Pedro Neves submitted a proposal to the regional parliament on 6 October aimed at strengthening the region's commitment to protecting the Sargasso Sea and conserving biodiversity on the high seas.

The party said the initiative is part of implementing the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, which it describes as a fundamental international instrument for safeguarding marine ecosystems in international waters.

PAN/Açores wants the Regional Government to develop a specific strategy for the valorisation and protection of the Sargasso Sea, and to increase cooperation with the State, the European Union and other international partners involved in its conservation. The proposal calls for stronger management and protection measures under the agreement, including the possible classification of the area as a marine protected area.

It also proposes strengthening the Azores' presence in international Sargasso Sea forums, creating a regional scientific and technical group, and linking research produced in the Azores more closely with international high-seas conservation processes. PAN also backs public-awareness actions for residents and sea-related sectors, and an assessment of ecological connectivity between the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network and North Atlantic high-seas ecosystems.

Neves said the Azores had taken pioneering positions on ocean-ecosystem protection through a 2023 moratorium on deep-sea mining intended to prevent support for seabed mining activities, as well as a moratorium on that type of exploitation in Azorean waters.

This site previously reported that the Azores Marine Park marks 15 years with new visual identity.

acorianooriental.pt

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