In a review of the past year in terms of the environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho highlighted the creation of the new Marine Protected Area (MPA) and said that once it is implemented, together with others, namely the network of protected areas in the Azores, it will bring Portugal closer to achieving the United Nations” goal of 30% of the ocean protected by 2030.

When asked about the next MPA to be created, the Minister said no decision had been made, but noted that many marine areas should be protected.

Regarding this week’s debate in the Azorean parliament on a proposal by the Socialist Party to allow tuna fishing in protected areas, the Minister said she hoped the PS would change its mind and noted that the party had demanded commitments from fishermen, which were approved, and then raised additional demands.

Maria da Graça Carvalho noted that the creation of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) had been widely praised and that this suggestion “tarnishes” what had been achieved.

In her assessment to Lusa News Agency on the past year and projections for this year in the area of water, the Minister said that the government is studying the connection between the Santa Clara dam in south-western Alentejo and the Algarve.

The Minister said that it is also necessary to “look at other regions”, noting that the Mira and Sado river area is one of the most worrying and considering that the construction of a desalination plant in Sines is not enough, admitting that another one could be useful for the agricultural area, since the one already planned is industrial.

Maria da Graça Carvalho said the Ministry is also conducting a survey of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) status, as required by European law, and warned that many require improvement or replacement.

“We are in breach in some cases, and we are looking at what can be improved or redone,” she said, explaining that there is only one case in the (European) courts, which concerns the WWTP in the parish of Pereira do Campo.

Regarding the designation of 61 special conservation areas (SCA), Maria da Graça Carvalho said 47 have been approved and that the rest are “practically all agreed”, with only Moura remaining. She wants the process completed by March.