The Government of the Azores has created the Underwater Archaeological Park of Slavonia on the coast of Lajedo, municipality of Lajes das Flores; the legal document was published today in the Official Gazette.

Approved in July during the statutory visit to the island of Flores, the Government's decision aims, among other aspects, to protect, preserve and disseminate the archaeological heritage, thus promoting its study and potentialities.

Hence, fishing activities are forbidden inside the archaeological park, whether professional or recreational, as well as the anchoring of boats, buoys or any other devices. Furthermore, the legal document restricts the conduction of scientific research without the permission of the managing authority which, in this case, is the Regional Directorate for Culture.

The regional implementing decree, which enters into force next Wednesday, specifies that "the collection of archaeological material or any objects found within the underwater cultural heritage park is only allowed in the context of the underwater archaeological work duly licensed by the competent regional entity."

According to the preamble of the regional decree now published, the site of the sinking of the "Royal Mail Ship Slavonia," located in shallow waters near the southwest coast of Flores, has "visiting conditions that are line with the interest and representativeness of the shipwreck."

The ship Slavonia is an example of the great waves of European emigration to the USA and embodies the trade narrative of "large private companies in the Atlantic, representing the economic liberalism and capitalism of the 19th century as well as the British imperialism at the time of its maximum splendour."

On the other hand, the protection of the sunken remains of Slavonia allows "the conservation and protection of existing marine biodiversity in the area, which represents coastal environments in the Region." In this regard, this submerged structure "provides substrate for the colonisation by sessile organisms, creating an environment similar to the natural coastal reefs of the Azores Sea, which harbours marine species of ecological and economic importance."

The area where Slavonia wrecked also presents features that allow controlled visits by divers, "without negative impact on the conservation of the archaeological and natural heritage."

This archaeological testimony, which is "clearly identified," has "great potential" in the tourist and cultural promotion of the Azores, and, therefore, can "become an underwater museum."