Ministry’s role would be to protect Portugal’s marine ecosystems
Sciaena – the Association for Marine Sciences and Cooperation – has called on the next government to create a ministry responsible for the governance of the sea, in order to protect Portugal’s marine ecosystems.
The proposal includes the environmental organisation’s Blue Manifesto, presented at an online press conference ahead of the legislative elections on March 10, and which includes 14 measures that Sciaena considers to be “priorities” for ocean conservation.
“The idea behind the manifesto is to launch an appeal to whoever the next government is and whoever the parties represented in Parliament are, to pay special attention to the ocean, to the conservation of ecosystems and also to ensure social and economic benefits for those who depend on it,” Gonçalo Carvalho, the association’s executive leader told Lusa.
Sciaena also wants the next political leadership in Portugal to recognise the “role that the ocean plays in the sustainability of the planet and the prosperity of communities”.
“Ultimately, we believe that Portugal can be a leader in marine conservation and we want the next government to embrace a bold and committed vision (…) to adopt and implement more and better conservation practices,” he added.
Ana Matias, climate leader at the NGO (non-governmental organisation), pointed out that a ministry of maritime affairs would allow for more effective management of resources.
It could have secretariats of state, such as Marine Conservation and/ or Fisheries, she said.
In the current government, fisheries are included in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and there is a minister of the economy and maritime affairs, which includes the secretaries of state for tourism, trade and services and maritime affairs. But very little of the work of these ministries has been focused on marine conservation.
Equipping the national meteorological institute (“IPMA”) and research centres with human and financial resources, recognising the ocean as a true ally against the climate crisis, approving the law creating a national network of Marine Protected Areas (“MPAs”) and developing and implementing a strategy for the transition to low-impact fishing are other measures in Sciaena’s Blue Manifesto.
The NGO also proposes adopting a moratorium on deep sea mining, ratifying the High Seas Treaty, implementing measures to “effectively” reduce waste that pollutes the ocean, creating legislation to regulate maritime tourism activities, decarbonising maritime transport sector and ensuring that offshore renewable energy projects respect nature.
Undoubtedly, any future ministry would have to pronounce on the polluting aspect of the desalination project planned for Albufeira; it would also need to have a say in the ongoing battle between fishermen and offshore wind farm projects.
According to Ana Matias offshore wind farms and the preservation of species and communities is possible “as long as the necessary care is taken”.
Asked which party has an electoral programme closest to what Sciaena calls for, Ana Matias and Gonçalo Carvalho didn’t want to name any particular party.
They referred to the “ecological parties”, which include the Ecologist Party “Os Verdes” (which includes the CDU – United Democratic Coalition alongside the Communist Party of Portugal) and PAN – People-Animals-Nature), adding that the issue of the MPAs is important in several electoral programmes, as is the recognition of the effects of mining on the sea.
The Blue Manifesto has already been sent to all the legislative candidates and Sciaena has even received some replies.
Once a new government is in place, the manifesto will be presented to the executive and the various parties represented in Parliament.
Source: LUSA
