The most ambitious programme ever organised for the celebration of the Azorean Sea starts at the Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School on the island of Graciosa on May 20 at 8:30 AM. During 20 days, 146 activities will be held across the archipelago until June 8 when the National Day of the Sea is celebrated. During the event, emphasis will be given to themes such as marine biodiversity, the danger of pollution, efficient waste management, culture related to the sea, maritime tourism and the potentialities of the Ocean.
The activities include: trips (sailing, whaling boat and “raquero” sailing boat), racing (sailing, canoeing and kayaking) and other nautical competitions (surfing), poetic gatherings, scientific debates, book presentations, exhibition of films and documentaries, school activities, including visits to university institutions, underwater and coastal cleaning, photography exhibitions, coastal and underwater photography, thematic visits, pedestrians walks, identification of coastal organisms, removal of invasive organisms and diving baptisms.
In addition to the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretary for the Environment and the Sea, various activities are organised by the Port Administrations, Associations (including environmental, fishers’ and firefighters’), Libraries, Municipalities, Port Authorities, Maritime Police, Casas do Povo, Diving Centres from various islands, Sports Clubs and Groups (including the naval clubs of the Azores), private and public Companies (maritime tourism operators), Schools (including vocational training schools), Police Forces (PSP), Village Councils, Restaurants and the University of the Azores.
During these events, several companies, which also participate in the activities, will offer special discounts for the regular services performed during the “Entre-Mares” (Between Seas) programme.
In the International Year of Biodiversity when the responsibilities of the Azores, as European Region of the Year, have significantly increased, the Regional Government meets the challenges launched by the Community institutions in order to bring European citizens closer to the sea and its potentialities as well as to provide information on its sensitivity and limitations.