Welcome to the
Azores Maritime Spatial Planning Portal
The future of the sea begins here.
Navigate with us towards a more conscious and sustainable management of the maritime space in the Azores.
The need.
The particular characteristics of the maritime area surrounding the Azorean archipelago present unique governance challenges.
Growing use of this space demands an integrated approach to the rational management of marine resources, aiming to both value and safeguard them for present and future generations.
The concept.
Developing the blue economy depends on assigning specific areas at sea.
OEMA provides the framework for organising activities that require dedicated space, ensuring the conditions for granting private use of defined maritime areas.
The vision.
OEMA promotes and reinforces the Azores’ geostrategic position.
Here, the way the maritime space is managed enables it to realise its socio-economic potential, safeguards the maintenance of a good environmental status, provides opportunities for public use, and places the preservation of natural values at the forefront — guided by an adaptive and participatory approach.
The instruments.
The Situation Plan. This is the “portrait”, both current and potential, of the entire maritime space. It sets out the spatial and temporal distribution of existing and future uses and activities, and identifies cultural and natural values.
The Allocation Plans. These plans complement the Situation Plan in cases not foreseen in it. They allocate specific maritime areas for uses or activities not included in the Situation Plan.
The PSOEM-Açores.
The National Maritime Spatial Planning Situation Plan for the Azores Subdivision (PSOEM-Açores) emerged from a public process designed to analyse and plan human activities at sea in pursuit of environmental, economic, and social objectives.
Its purpose is to balance diverse interests and secure societal benefits from the ocean while safeguarding its conservation.
Discover how maritime space in the Azores is being shaped and where key changes are unfolding.
The TUPEM.
As a general rule, the maritime space is intended for common use and enjoyment.
A Title for the Private Use of the National Maritime Space (TUPEM) is required only when the intended activity involves private use – an utilisation that exceeds what is obtainable through common use and that provides a clear benefit to the public interest.
A TUPEM can be granted only when the activity is already foreseen as potential in the Situation Plan, or after the approval of an Allocation Plan.
The news.
Get in touch.
Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies
Rua D. Pedro IV
No. 29, Matriz
9900-111 Horta (Faial)
Rua Cônsul Dabney
Ap. 9, Colónia Alemã
9901-014 Horta (Faial)
Tel. (+351) 292 202 400
Fax (+351) 292 240 890