The Minister of Environment and Energy positioned Portugal today as the country that must lead in the protection and economic development of the oceans, an asset she described as strategic and of the utmost importance to humanity.
“The ocean is indeed a strategic asset of the greatest importance to all of humanity, and Portugal, as a maritime nation with one of the largest exclusive economic zones on the planet, must play a leading role in its protection and enhancement,” said Maria da Graça Carvalho at the opening session of the 1st Mar Portugal Forum, organized by the Centre of Marine Sciences of the Algarve (CCMAR).
The event brought together policymakers, researchers, financial institutions, companies, and international organizations in the Algarve capital today to discuss “how to transform scientific knowledge into sustainable economic value and effective public policies.”
For the minister, Portugal must “lead by example in defending the ocean as an ecosystem with multiple ecological functions that are decisive in regulating the planet’s climate and as a reservoir of biodiversity.”
Maria da Graça Carvalho also called for the country to reconcile the protection of marine environments with the development of the so-called blue economy — a range of economic activities linked to the sea and coastal areas, developed on the basis of environmental sustainability and ecological transition.
The minister advocated investment in “innovative activities that combine the dual ambition of protecting and adding value,” citing sustainable marine ecotourism and blue biotechnology as examples, particularly in the development of new pharmaceuticals, without affecting natural habitats.
At the start of the forum, the president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), António Miguel Pina, formally presented the minister with the letter of intent “Algarve Natural Capital,” a document expressing the commitment of the Algarve’s 16 municipalities to position the region as a benchmark in ocean sustainability.
The local authorities aim for the Algarve to become “a reference in the sustainable development of natural capital, including environmental protection, the blue economy, and the sustainable development of the ocean and coastal and marine ecosystems.”
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Natural capital refers to the set of natural resources and systems that generate economic, social, and environmental benefits for society.
The president of the Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) of the Algarve, José Apolinário, called for the creation of conditions to attract greater investment in transforming scientific knowledge into sustainable economic value.
“To build a sustainable blue economy, we need more investment in this area,” he said.
Marine biologist and climate scientist Carlos Duarte stated that the Ria Formosa in the Algarve is an important natural capital infrastructure, arguing that “now is the time to invest in the blue economy, and the region has the human capital to make that happen.”
The Ria Formosa is a coastal lagoon system located in the Algarve, stretching approximately 60 km between the municipalities of Loulé and Vila Real de Santo António. It is one of the most important wetlands in the country, with significant ecological, economic, and landscape value.
