Meet António José Correia, the Face of Science who coordinates the Nautical Stations Network in Portugal.
During the interview, he shares his experience as the Nautical Stations Network’s coordinator as well as the Network’s objectives and its contribution to the development of the blue economy. The interviewee also mentions the importance of the Municipality’s investment in technology and science for the implementation of projects such as “Oeiras Mar”.
What do you consider to be the main contribution of the Nautical Stations Network to the development of the Blue Economy?
Each Nautical Station (EN) is a network of quality nautical tourism offers, organized on the basis of the integrated use and promotion of the nautical resources present in a territory, which includes the offer of nautical activities, accommodation, restaurants and other initiatives and services relevant to attracting tourists and other users, adding value and creating diversified and integrated experiences.
The Network covers the whole of mainland Portugal, both coastal and inland, with a presence in all regions. It adds up to 38 Nautical Stations, involving around 1500 partners, 60% of which are companies.
Portugal’s Nautical Stations Network has invested in digitalization by creating the Nautical Portugal portal. Its main objective is to aggregate all the information about the Nautical Stations, their partners, the activities carried out, the nautical agenda and also about complementary offers, such as food and accommodation.
The Network’s main contribution to the development of the blue economy lies in the promotion of sustainable nautical tourism, both nationally and internationally, with emphasis on the wide range of services and activities related to coastal and inland waters provided by the corporate partners.
Portugal has one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world. How does the Nautical Stations Network contribute to the exploration and exploitation of Portugal’s maritime territory?
The EN Network contributes to the exploration and the exploitation of Portugal’s maritime territory by promoting nautical tourism, encouraging visitors to explore the Nautical Stations, thus contributing to their development.
In addition, it boosts the development of nautical activities such as sailing, surfing, diving, recreational fishing, boat tours, among others, which explore and take advantage of the Portuguese sea’s resources, providing unique experiences for residents and visitors.
It should also be noted that the sustainable exploitation of coastal areas is widely promoted by the Nautical Stations Network through the Certification Regulation, encouraging the conservation of the marine environment and urging the visitors to acknowledge how important it is to preserve coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity.
What goals does the Nautical Stations Network have for the future?
In summary, our goals for the future are as follows:
- consolidating and expanding the Network
- structuring and promoting the services offered
- training the parties engaged in the Network: EN coordination teams and corporate partners.
The consolidation of the Network depends on the process that has already begun through the ENs divided by regions:
“Northern Coast”, ‘Ria de Aveiro’, ‘Alentejo’ and ‘Algarve’.
“Alentejo” is an exemplary and pioneering case, reflected in implemented joint internationalization projects and in applications.
The expansion seeks to meet the growing interest of territories – with a greater focus on inland waters – in this type of collective efficiency strategy. For this reason, the 7th phase of applications is underway until September 30, and the one being prepared by “Oeiras Viva”, already part of the OEIRAS MAR Program, should be mentioned here.
Coupled with the work we have been doing, the dimension we could achieve (around 40 ENs), and the recognition of the coordinating bodies and the evaluation committee at the forefront, the future is for us to gain notoriety for our work.
The biggest challenge for all the Nautical Stations is structuring a nautical tourism product is, so training in this area is a priority within the Network.
As part of the Network’s animation and coordination activities, Fórum Oceano will seek to reissue the internationalization project funded by COMPETE, developing training actions and promoting the offer in new markets. France, Germany and the Netherlands were the target markets for the previous project, defined in conjunction with AICEP and Turismo de Portugal.
Our continued focus on digitalization will lead us to further develop the “Nautical Portugal” portal, which is the “driver” for promoting the Network’s nautical offer.
As an employee of Fórum Oceano, what is your assessment of the actions promoted or under development through the “Oeiras Mar” program?
My assessment is very positive and promising. Positive, because, since its inception it has involved the interested parties through a participatory and process that brings together many different local entities.
Promising, because I sense great determination and a strong political commitment to making the program a reality.
A sign of what I’ve just written is the ongoing work to structure the Oeiras Nautical Station, coordinated by Oeiras Viva and to which we are giving our full support.
How has investment in science and technology by the Municipality of Oeiras contributed to the development of projects like this?
Knowledge is the basic condition for progress. And in this area, the Municipality of Oeiras and its community are at the forefront. The ambition of “Oeiras Mar” finds in the ecosystem it occupies, especially in Oeiras Valley, a solid, consistent and competent anchor, and a good predictor of its success.
