The University of Algarve (UAlg), the Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR) and the Municipality of Vila do Bispo organize the second edition of the “Festival of Marine Forests”, from the 7th to the 11th of May, at Porto da Baleeira, in Sagres .
The program includes several activities, such as lectures, dolphin and algae watching, workshops, diving and a craft and gastronomy fair/exhibition.
Combining science, conservation and education to publicize the importance of the biodiversity of Marine Forests, this festival aims to further involve the region’s community and students, making them aware of the marine diversity of Sagres, namely the region’s algae and corals, and reinforce the general importance of these living beings in marine systems and their conservation.
For Rute Silva, mayor of Vila do Bispo, «the Municipality is now fully aware of the importance of its Natural and Cultural Heritage».
Over the last decade, he explains, «the Municipality has been promoting several projects to identify, inventory, evaluate, investigate, conserve, manage and enhance its heritage resources, particularly in areas such as Geology, Paleontology, Archeology , Underwater Archaeology, History, Ethnology and Biodiversity, terrestrial and marine».
Last year, the Festival had a good response from the Local Community, namely children and young people integrated into school groups, individual and family visits, members of Local Associations linked to the Arts, Surfing, Tourism, the Environment and Sustainability.
This year, in the 2nd edition and with a greater programmatic offer, «we expect an increase in interest and participation from the local community, particularly the school public, with actions aimed at 3rd cycle students», says Rute Silva.
In addition to their heritage value, for the Mayor, «Marine Forests have inestimable economic value, as life support for many of the species of fish, molluscs and marine crustaceans whose capture supports many of the families in Vila do Bispo, especially from Sagres, Salema and Burgau».
In his opinion, «the involvement of the Fishing Community in the event is particularly relevant in the discussion and promotion of sustainable practices in fishing and seafood activities, with a view to protecting the Marine Forests and Biodiversity they host».
Therefore, he summarizes, «by bringing the general public and the Local Community closer to the scientific knowledge produced about the reality of Marine Forests, awareness is raised about the pressing need to conserve and recover these vital ecosystems for the sustainability of the seas of Sagres» .
For Alexandra Teodósio, vice-rector of UAlg for Internationalization and Sustainable Development and researcher, «participation in this Citizen Science Festival is an opportunity for UAlg students, guided by researchers and teachers from UAlg and CCMAR, to literally immerse themselves in the forests seascapes, a unique ecosystem in the coastal area of Sagres».
For the researcher, the festival will also be a way to come into contact with teaching based on the “problem based learning” methodology, applied to marine sciences, in a real context, and in-depth learning provided by the knowledge of the region’s communities.
«Submerged forests are not very accessible and are often unknown to citizens, but as we only love and protect what we know, these activities to discover the different components of the marine environment actively contribute to the sustainability of conservation actions in these areas by society”, concludes Alexandra Teodósio.
This event, part of the PRR impulses Jovem e Adulto FOSTEAM@SOUTH program, also has the support of the Sagres Parish Council, Docapesca and Finisterra.
