The Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures has announced the creation of a cooperation protocol to finance the activities and expenses of the Azores Sea Observatory (OMA) in Horta.

José  Contente visited the facilities of the OMA this afternoon to assess the human and scientific needs of the infrastructure, where he also became acquainted with the scientific dissemination projects that the Observatory disseminates among the general public, schools and tourists.

“This protocol is a first step for the good performance of the Observatory regarding its operation and for the compliance of its statutes: the scientific dissemination associated with to the sea of the Azores,” said the Secretary.

This partnership primarily intends to reinforce financial support for studies and scientific research, operation costs, equipment acquisition and/or infrastructure maintenance.

José  Contente also mentioned that this protocol should be signed next year and it should reach an amount between 50 and 75 thousand Euros per year.

“We need to create a truly scientific and technological culture in the Region so that we may to move towards the Knowledge Society with full knowledge and precision, and these Science Centres, located on several islands are the means to establish that connection, the connection to schools, to the people who visit them; therefore, all this corresponds to a quality level quality regarding the scientific knowledge of the Azores,” said the Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures.

The Azores Sea Observatory, located at the Old Whaling Factory, welcomes an annual average of 15 thousand visitors.