The Centre for Marine Sciences of the University of Algarve (CCMAR) officially launched the Algarve Marine Observatory (OMA) on 23 May 2025, a new initiative that aims to strengthen the link between science and the economic sector in order to accelerate the sustainable development of the region, with an initial focus on hospitality. The event took place in the Grand Auditorium of the University of the Algarve and brought together more than a hundred representatives from scientific institutions, companies, local authorities and organisations from the tourism sector.
In a territory highly dependent on tourism and with unique marine resources, the OMA is a strategic instrument for positioning the Algarve as a leading region in the blue economy, responsible tourism and sustainable innovation. As well as creating practical bridges between science and business, the Observatory aims to encourage the adoption of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles in local economic activity, empowering the region's agents for climate transition resilience, through a portfolio of collaboration.
The initiative already brings together leading investment groups operating in the Algarve, companies from associated sectors, local authorities and CCMAR researchers.
"The OMA aims to be more than a space for reflection - it wants to be an agent of transformation,’ said Daniela Fazenda, who is responsible for coordinating the initiative. ‘We have designed a collaborative, transparent and adaptable model that will generate value both for marine ecosystems and for the companies and communities in which they operate."
The collaboration portfolio presented during the public presentation event includes five avenues of involvement for companies and organisations, from direct support for ongoing research, to the development of personalised projects, training in the adoption of ESG principles, citizen science actions with clients and advocacy initiatives for science-based public policies.
One of the symbolic moments of the morning was the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding between CCMAR and Highgate Portugal, a hotel group with a strong presence in the Algarve. According to Francisco Santos, the company's Head of Sustainability, this partnership represents a commitment to informed and reasoned action:
"The signing of this memorandum is very important for Highgate Portugal. Hospitality can have an impact on marine ecosystems, just as alterations to these ecosystems and climate change have a direct impact on the sector's economy. There is no doubt that tourism and hospitality are strategic for the national economy, and even more so for the Algarve. That's why we had to go ahead with this partnership - and there's no doubt about the value that CCMAR represents."
The OMA starts from an initial nucleus centred on the hotel industry, but intends to expand to other sectors linked to the sea and the coast. It has the support of the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission and is in the process of applying to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development.
The event included the presentation of a symbolic award created by textile artist Vanessa Barragão, inspired by the link between art, science and the sea, which marked the inaugural commitment of the OMA. The piece, created exclusively for this occasion, represents the web of collaboration and shared responsibility that this initiative aims to build between all those who live in and depend on the ocean.
