The Regional Director for Sea Affairs stated in Horta that the Hamilton Declaration is in line with the Regional Government's policies for the sea, stressing the "need to protect marine biodiversity also in areas beyond national jurisdiction."
 
Filipe Porteiro spoke at the opening of the annual meeting of the Sargasso Sea Commission and the signatory parties of the Hamilton Declaration that will also be attended by the Minister of Education of Bermuda and the representatives of the UK, USA, Monaco, Bahamas, Canada and Cayman Islands.
 
In his speech, he stressed that the regional policy as regards the conservation of marine environment and promotion of sustainable maritime human activities "has begun a few decades ago," emphasising that it is "a cornerstone for the progress and socio-economic development" of the Azores.
 
In this context, the government official mentioned that the Government intends to "harmonise "blue growth" initiatives with the conservation of marine resources," adding that the participation of the Azores in the Sargasso Sea Commission "is important for the conservation of common heritage."
 
The Hamilton Declaration for the Sargasso Sea Conservation was signed in 2014 by Bermuda, United Kingdom, Monaco, United States of America and the Azores. It was later signed by Canada and the Cayman Islands.
 
The Government of the Azores proposed to the Sargasso Sea Commission that the 2017 meeting should take place in the city of Horta on Faial, fully supporting its organisation.