Being aware of the problems in the coastal areas of the Azores, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea (SRAM) is developing various initiatives to promote environmental quality and nature protection in these sensitive areas with a high level of biodiversity.
As a result of global circulation of floating plastic waste, some areas on the island of Faial have registered a particular high concentration of waste. In a partnership with the Capelo Village Council, the SRAM, through the Natural Park of Faial Island, is carrying out a major cleaning action in the coastal area of Capelinhos Volcano. In the case of Costado da Nau, an area with difficult access, the cleaning action is particularly important for tourism as this area is observed from some of the viewpoints located on North Coast of Faial. In turn, the Praia do Vulcão has a very specific feature, hosting one the most important common tern colonies in the Azores. If the waste is not removed, it could endanger the reproductive season of these seabirds.
The initiative undertaken by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea with the purpose of cleaning the coastal area and assuring an adequate relation between these areas and seabirds will also include the Feno Islet on Terceira Island. This islet, known for hosting one of the largest colonies of roseate tern in the Azores where 263 couples have nested in 2009, has registered some problems due to the return of rodents. In a partnership with the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry and the University of the Azores, the Government is developing a plan to control rodents, which should be implemented in the next month. The roseate tern population is the largest in Europe, representing nearly 48% of the total population, which requires an increased commitment in their preservation.
Since the beginning of last year, the SRAM, through the Regional Directorate for Environment, has maintained a project, known as “Sanctuary Islands for Seabirds,” which is co-funded by the European Commission (LIFE + programme) and coordinated by the Society for the Study of Birds. This project is carrying out actions in the Vila Franca Islet on São Miguel Island to remove invasive plants, substituting them by endemic flora. During these actions, the presence of rodents was also monitored and so far no animal has been registered. In addition to the work undertaken to promote the endemic fauna and flora, this project also aims to place hundreds of artificial nest which contain devices to attract seabirds in several areas such as the Biological Reserves of Corvo. The works, which include the renewal of an old quarry, will be monitored by the Corvo Town Hall.
With the development of this type of activities in the International Year of Biodiversity, the Government intends to encourage a better understanding, promote, safeguard and recover the natural species living in the Azorean coastal areas. Hence, during this year it will possible to verify the results of these projects, probably with an increase of nesting seabirds and, simultaneously, a greater success of this nesting.