This year the 1ˢᵗ edition of the Festival of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves took place, and the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies (DRPM), within the scope of the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA and Oceanlit projects, in partnership with the Graciosa Environment and Climate Change Service (SAACG) and the Azores Sea Observatory (OMA), promoted three environmental awareness activities.

On 4 May, a coastal cleaning action took place in the Porto Afonso area, with the participation of 14 volunteers from the Guadalupe Parish Council, Santa Cruz da Graciosa City Council and the SAACG. In this action, 160 kg of marine litter were collected and forwarded to the waste processing centre of Graciosa.

On 5 May, in collaboration with OMA, an awareness-raising action directed at fishermen and other interested parties took place to promote the correct separation of waste in fishing boats and the importance of the correct management of waste for the protection of the marine resources of the island of Graciosa. This action counted 9 participants.

On 6 May, in collaboration with the DivinGraciosa diving company, an underwater cleaning action was carried out in the Praia Fishing Port, which included six divers and 15 participants on land, including a group of Scouts from Guadalupe. Around 42 kg of marine litter were collected from the port and sent to the waste processing centre.

It is with great gratification that DRPM and SAACG thank the collaboration of all volunteers and entities involved (DivinGraciosa, Associação dos Pescadores Graciosenses, Lotaçor, Santa Cruz da Graciosa City Council and the Maritime Authority), who made themselves available to make our coastline and sea cleaner, thus also contributing to the success of this 1ˢᵗ edition of the Festival of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves.