The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stressed the unusual number of marine species recorded this year in the Azores. In this regard, he considered that the whale watching activities promoted under the "Açores Entre-Mares" (Azores Between Seas) to spot baleen whales have been a success.

 "This is an unusual year as we are being visited by a large number of baleen whales. During the long spring migration between the tropics and the brief summer in the cooler areas of the North Sea, large marine species stop in the Azores to find food and recover their strength to continue their journey towards the North," said Filipe Porteiro. The government official spoke at the end of a boat ride between Pico and Faial on Thursday.

 Blue whales, common whales and sperm whales are some of the symbols of the "Açores Entre-Mares" campaign for 2014. These species were spotted during an initiative intended to disseminate and promote maritime tourism activities in the Azores; it involved the participation of marine life photographer Nuno Sá and entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.

 Filipe Porteiro stressed that this action was organised with the aim of "promoting the sea and its species, habitats and ecosystems as well as the social and economic potentialities of these natural resources."

 "Today, maritime tourist activities are fundamental to the development of the Azores for the unique ecotourism offer; they have had a growing socio-economic impact. These activities also play an important role in raising the awareness of tourists for the importance of environmental values and the need to promote them," said the Regional Director.

 For Filipe Porteiro, "coastal and maritime tourism is one of the five areas in maritime economy with "growth potential," and, as he added, "the Azores aware of this potential."

 "Maritime tourism activities are growing on all islands with a diversified offer. Companies are operating with the required quality so that their products may be recognised by the most demanding markets, being in line with the regulations that ensure the safety of users and companies as well as the well-being of the species and habitats that support these activities," said the government official.

 The fifth edition of "Açores Entre-Mares" (Azores Between Seas) will star today, European Maritime Day until June 8, World Ocean Day. An initiative promoted by the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources, this year's edition will include 50 actions that will take will place across the archipelago with the aim of mobilising society for the knowledge, preservation and promotion of the Azores Sea.

 For the next three weeks, several initiatives will be held under theme "Whales, Dolphins and Sharks." Organised in partnership between public and private entities, these activities will include whale watching, visits to protected areas, lectures, gatherings, exhibitions, underwater cleanup, cleaning of coastal areas, regattas, maritime tours and film sessions.