The Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea will celebrate the National Sea Day next Monday on November 16 with various activities organised by the Regional Network of Ecotecas (Environmental Awareness Raising Centres).

The event, established in 1998, will be celebrated on all the islands of the Autonomous Region, except on Corvo Island.

The events and initiatives to be promoted involve painting a mural dedicated to Cory’s Shearwater in Vila do Porto on Santa Maria, starting an educational and environmental awareness-raising project on the Vila Franca islet with a boat trip for youngsters to that natural reserve on São Miguel

Regarding São Miguel, the celebration programme of the National Day of the Sea includes for the launch of a brochure on diversity in coastal areas, a field trip to coastline of Mosteiros and the opening of the exhibition on “The attraction of Cory’s Shearwaters” (O encanto dos Cagarros)to be held at the Ginetes Basic Education School.

There will also be a field trip by an Eco-School class of the Laranjeiras School which consists in a boat trip around the coastline of Ponta Delgada, a photography exhibition on Cory’s Shearwater and the coastline of the municipality of Ribeira Grande to take place at the headquarters of the “Clube Naval de Rabo de Peixe.”

Moreover, study visits to geological formations in Ribeira Seca, tide pools and to the Santa Bárbara beach will take place on São Miguel as well as the presentation of a photography exhibition related to the campaign “SOS Cagarro 2009” (SOS Cory’s Shearwater.

A group of activities will be developed on the island of Terceira between November 24 and 28, mainly at the Angra do Heroísmo Environment/Science Centre, with particular emphasis on the session titled “Let’s know marine life” (Vamos conhecer a vida marinha) in addition to other dynamics related to the sea theme.

Two exhibitions, one on the outcome of the competition “A safe box for a friend in need” (Uma caixa segura para um amigo em apuros), integrated in the “SOS Cagarro 2009” campaign and another titled “Eco-Code” (Eco-Código) will take place at the Graciosa Cultural Centre until November 22.

With regard to São Jorge Island, the celebrations of the National Day of the Sea include an activity to collect waste in the coastal area of the “Fajã dos Cubres,” a joint initiative with students of the São Jorge Vocational Training School.

A session on marine biodiversity, fish, birds, cetaceans and on water will be the main theme of children's stories integrated in the activities to celebrate the event, to take place on the island of Pico at the Dias de Melo Municipal Library at 4:30 PM.

Furthermore, a lecture on the results from the cleaning of the Horta port, causes and consequence of marine garbage will be held on Faial as well as a guided tour for acquaintance with the maritime and sports offer, organised by the “Clube Naval da Horta,” and boat trips.

A visit to the Boqueirão Environmental Interpretation Centre to reflect on the issues related to marine biodiversity and their importance.