The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stated in Horta that the Regional Government is working so that the archipelago becomes the first region in the world to be distinguished as "Whale Heritage Site," recognised by the World Cetacean Alliance and other relevant international entities, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

"Due to their geographical position, oceanographic features and the complex topography of the seabed, the Azores are home to a diverse fauna of whales and dolphins," Filipe Porteiro said, stressing that "cetaceans, namely sperm whales, indelibly mark Azorean culture."

Filipe Porteiro spoke at the lecture titled "The whales that shape the Azores maritime culture: why the Archipelago is a true Whale Heritage Site," delivered under the World Cetacean Alliance that takes place until Friday.

"The relation of the Azorean people with these marine giants has both a historical and present significance, involving aspects from economy to sociology, architecture, ethnography, handicrafts and art, science and technology, and environmental conservation and awareness," said the government official.

"From whaling to whale watching, the paradigm has changed, but these economic activities explore, deep down, the same resources," said the Regional Director.

In his speech, he recalled that the legacy of American whaling fuelled, between 1760 and 1921, the technology that has been adapted so that coastal whale hunting could start on Flores, Pico and Faial, which would be later extended to the entire archipelago from 1850 to 1987.

The whaling activity marked the first great wave of Azorean emigration to the United States. The industrialisation period of Azorean whaling began in the 1940s which, according to the Regional Director, "reached its economic peak soon after World War II."

Filipe Porteiro stated that many American and Portuguese authors have been researching and publishing studies on these maritime activities, "clarifying the true cultural and heritage dimension they had in the Azorean society."

In this regard, the government official stressed that legacy of whaling in the Azores comprises "a vast scientific knowledge, architectural and shipbuilding styles as well as better sailing techniques. This represents a significant number of craft pieces and works of art, nearly one hundred and fifty whaling buildings on all islands, and even a handful of museums and interpretation centres that perpetuate the whaling memory, with special emphasis on the Whaling Museum on Pico."

 "After whaling comes whale watching; the latter applies the knowledge accumulated by seafarers to new purposes," the government official said, pointing out the existence of "modern and dynamic laws that ensure the sustainability of this new activity."

Filipe Porteiro also stated that scientific, biological, historical and social research has been intensified as well as the conservation policies for these internationally classified and protected species.

"We have dignified the whaling culture in the eyes of the present." The Regional Director added that "today the Azores are one of the places of the world where the cultural heritage of human beings' relation with whales is most striking, being the foundation for a new modern vision of sustainable use of oceans and their resources."

"The Regional Government is proud to be deeply involved with society in the tribute to the beauty of these iconic creatures and their potential to create progress and identity," said Filipe Porteiro.