Whale watching in the Azores already yields tens of millions of Euros annually, although this activity is not available on all islands.

The estimate was provided today by the Regional Director for Sea Affairs, Frederico Cardigos, at the opening of the celebrations of National Sea Day that took place in Horta.

Frederico Cardigos stressed, however, that the expansion of this activity to all islands may not be the best option, since there have been "good results" in the geographic specialisation, such as the case of Santa Maria where four specialised companies are dedicated to whale sharks and manta rays.

In the case of Corvo, added the government official, the specialisation focuses on bird watch, with a "considerable spreading of the population", which is starting "to become the most important export resource of this island."

In his "journey through the world of opportunities found in the Azorean marine world," the Regional Director for Sea Affairs also considered that the underwater diving "meets all the conditions to become one of the tourism solutions of excellence" in the archipelago.

He also added that after the Archaeological Reserve of Angra do Heroísmo Bay, with the sinking of Lidador and the Anchor's Cemetery, the Archaeological Reserve of Dori's sinking, located in Pópulo Beach, is starting to "take shape." This initiative "will be another important stop in this archipelago speckled with deep blue."

For Frederico Cardigos, diving with sharks, an activity that was born on Faial and Pico, and technical diving, which is becoming popular on the South coast of São Miguel and the West coast of Graciosa, are examples of new activities that have become "the cherries on the top of this extraordinary cake for European and North American divers."

He also defended the need to make the vast whaling heritage of the archipelago profitable and questioned why "a whaling boat ride is not easily available to those who visit us."

Regarding beach waters in the Azores, whose quality has been acknowledged, the Regional Director for Sea Affairs defended that is time "for private entities to move ahead and invest in some of these areas. According to him, "there is no one better than private investors to relieve the administration from this responsibility and turn it into profitable initiatives."

Frederico Cardigos also drew the attention to the possible "use of natural gas as the mandatory energy source for cargo vessels worldwide." If this happens, "the Azores or Bermuda will become an almost obligatory stop for refuelling," stated the government official.

In the area of fisheries, the Regional Director for Sea Affairs restated the idea that "Azorean fisheries, while respecting the principles stipulated in the common fisheries policy, should be managed by the Azores," ensuring a "fishing effort suitable to the environmental specificities of our territory and respecting the equality that everyone understands as appropriate."

With regard to offshore energy production, such as the use of algae, sea-based windmills or wave power, Frederico Cardigos stated that "interesting and feasible projects will be supported by the Government of the Azores."
 
Finally, she highlighted the steps taken by scientific research of the Azorean Sea thanks to the efforts undertaken by the Departments of Fisheries and Oceanography and Geosciences of the University of the Azores. As for the deep sea, Frederico Cardigos recognised that we need "more information and background," adding that if there is "a certain unanimity regarding the existing potential," the truth is that "no one knows with absolute certainty what is this potential and how it may be used."