The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stated today that the SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign, which annually takes place from October 15 to November 15, "will be extended for another five days due to delayed departure of juvenile specimens from the nests."

Filipe Porteiro spoke during a visit to the Dabney House and Porto Pim Aquarium that took place under the celebrations of the National Maritime Day, stressing that "3,400 young Cory's Shearwaters had been collected in the Region until November 13, which represents an increase of 1,200 compared to the previous year." According to him, "this figure is within the annual average value of these campaigns."

In this regard, he considered that the assessment of this year's campaign was "very positive," highlighting the growth of Cory's Shearwaters that have been saved throughout the archipelago, except on the island of Flores.

Organised by Faial Natural Park, the event counted on the participation of the student from Horta Basic Education School. At the occasion, Filipe Porteiro called for the need to protecting the marine environment of the Azores.

"There is a growing involvement of Azoreans in the conservation and protection of nature, which demonstrates that the policies pursued in these area have a positive impact on our society," said the government official.

Filipe Porteiro also stressed that "there is an evolution in nature culture as well as in the promotion of environmental values in the Region," adding that more than two thousand people participated in over fifty initiatives developed under the SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign 2015.

The children who accompanied the visit of the Regional Director for Sea Affairs to the Porto Pim Aquarium saw the ringing of a juvenile specimen and also met a loggerhead turtle; the latter is an endangered species that is recovering after being collected with serious injuries in early October.

Filipe Porteiro called for the problem of floating debris, namely plastics, adding that the National Maritime Day is an opportunity for environmental awareness as well as to "reflect on our marine resources and the need to develop a sustainable relation with the sea."