Studies for Marine Protected Area in Sintra, Cascais, and Mafra to Commence This Year
It was announced this Wednesday that scientific studies for the establishment of a Community-Initiated Marine Protected Area (AMPIC) encompassing the municipalities of Cascais, Mafra, and Sintra are scheduled to begin soon. The associated participatory process involving local communities will also be launched before the year's end. This marks a new phase for the project, nearly three years after an initial scientific expedition, supported by the Fundação Oceano Azul, first investigated the marine and intertidal zones of these coastal councils. In addition to the scientific research, comprehensive socioeconomic studies will be undertaken to provide a foundation for the direct engagement of local populations.
The formal announcement occurred at the Oceanário de Lisboa, during a ceremony where the three municipal governments officially reaffirmed their joint commitment to the creation of the AMPIC. The event also featured the presentation of the documentary “Expedição Científica Oceano Azul Cascais | Mafra | Sintra”. The initiative is backed by the Fundação Oceano Azul and the Portuguese Government, with the Ministry of Environment and Energy allocating one million euros to fund the necessary complementary studies. A joint statement from the Foundation and the municipalities noted, “After three years since the expedition and having overcome the technical-administrative procedures that delayed the project, the conditions are now met to resume work on the ground.”
José Soares dos Santos, the president of the Fundação Oceano Azul, highlighted the significance of establishing marine areas that are defined by the needs of the communities they affect. He issued a warning that the longer decisions regarding the oceans are postponed, the more complex the associated problems become. Carlos Carreiras, the mayor of Cascais, reflected on errors made in the past and stressed the collective responsibility to “not spoil, to safeguard, and to value” the marine environment. Basílio Horta, the mayor of Sintra, added, “We are modestly collaborating on a universal intention to preserve the sea.” Echoing this sentiment, Pedro Carmo e Silva, a vereador for the Mafra municipality, stated, “We have an obligation to leave a sea better than the one we found.”
The forthcoming participatory process is designed to empower local communities, giving them a voice in shaping the final proposal for the Marine Protected Area. The municipalities have emphasized that these communities will have a central role in the co-construction of the project, ensuring a balance between the goals of marine conservation and the traditional uses and customs of the local populations. This collaborative approach is seen as essential for the long-term success and sustainability of the protected area. The insights gathered will inform the boundaries, regulations, and management plan of the future AMPIC.
Jean Barroca, the Deputy Secretary of State for Energy, was present to reinforce the government's official support for the project. He provided assurances that for energy-related developments, such as the planning and installation of offshore wind farms, the interests of local communities and the fishing sector would be consistently protected and prioritized. This commitment addresses a key concern among local stakeholders as Portugal explores its renewable energy potential along the coast. The government's policy aims to ensure that environmental protection and energy transition initiatives proceed in harmony with, rather than at the expense of, local economies and ways of life. The integration of these interests will be a central theme of the socioeconomic studies and community consultations planned for the coming months.
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