The Pedagogical Fishing Port project is an endorsed Ocean Decade Activity designed to promote ocean literacy among fishing communities in the Azores.
LOTAÇOR, responsible for the first sale of fish by auction, is the only fishing institution present on all the islands of the Azores Archipelago. By targeting LOTAÇOR workers and fish market staff, the program leverages everyday interactions between these employees, fishermen, and traders to spread knowledge about marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices. The training sessions—three hours long, divided into four modules—will take place on each of the nine islands.
The initiative recognizes that sustaining fisheries is not just about regulating natural resources but also about educating and empowering the people who depend on them. By engaging fishermen’s associations, local authorities, NGOs, and families, the project aims to create a ripple effect of awareness that supports the implementation of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA)—Europe’s largest MPA network—while aligning with global biodiversity and fisheries management frameworks.