The European Maritime Day will be celebrated on May 20. This day was established in 2008 by the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission in the context of the EU maritime policy in order to the potential, the importance and the awareness for the marine environment. Therefore, this event aims to increase the visibility for the Sea, being a day to reinforce the awareness and the recognition of the crucial role played by oceans and seas, to emphasise the maritime sectors and acknowledge their importance in daily lives of European citizens.

The city of Gijón, Spain, was chosen by the European Commission to host the celebrations of the European Maritime Day this year, which will be held from May 19 to 21. These events are promoted and organised by Spanish Presidency of the European Union.

The celebrations are divided into three parts: The Conference of the Parties involved on the European Maritime Game will take place in Gijón as well as several workshops and exhibitions, and the organisation of various events throughout Europe.

Innovation is the main theme of this year’s conference that will particularly focus on political strategies for competitiveness, environmental protection, improving working and employment conditions and excellence in science and research. Hence, it is an event addressed at all users who are interested in the Integrated Maritime Policy of the European Union, whose contributions are crucial to the sustainable development of coastal areas and maritime industry. The organised events aim to enhance the dialogue between the parties in order to gradually raise the awareness of European citizens for the importance of the Integrated European Maritime Policy.

For the Government of the Azores, this is a strategic event to promote and disseminate the Azorean Sea in European and international circuit. Particularly, in the year when the Azores are the European Region of the Year, it is important to disseminate the good practices that are conducted in our archipelago. The Azores have followed a knowledge policy for the sustainable use, preservation of the marine environment and the promotion of their conservation for the past decades, which has shown extraordinary results by achieving extraordinary results and assuring a vast maritime space with a recognised biodiversity.

Therefore, the Government of the Azores will participate in the celebrations in Guijón by organising lectures which are integrated in the conference cycle of the event. The Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea, Álamo Meneses, the Regional Under Secretary of Fishing, Marcelo Pamplona, are some of the speakers representing the Regional Government, who are part of a delegation that also integrates members of the Regional Secretary for the Economy and of the University of the Azores. There will also be two exhibitions focused on the topics: “the Azores on the forefront of marine research and innovation” and “the extraordinary cetacean heritage of the Azores.” In addition, Azorean materials will be displayed in a specific exhibition to promote the Outermost Regions which is organised by Canary Institute of Marine Sciences (ICCM).