© Karl-Heinz Müller | Ocean Azores Ambassador
KEY PROJECTS FROM FUNDAÇÃO OCEAN AZORES
The ocean Azores Foundation was set up to work to address key threats to the whales and cetaceans that exist in the waters of the Azores. With this in mind the foundation will look to projects that address these as a priority. Other projects for the community of the Azores will also be considered outside of this remit if deemed appropriate.
OCEAN
AZORES
9 ISLANDS. 1 OCEAN.
WHALE HERITAGE SITE
WHALE WATCHING
GOLFINHO COMMISSION
OCEAN +
The Ocean Azores Foundation is supporting the costs for the application of the Azores as a world recognised sustainable whale watching destination. The Whale Heritage Site certification is run by the World Cetation Alliance, a world leading ocean based conservation NGO.
Support sustainable marine tourism in the Azores: Download our guide to whale watching.
WHALE TRACKING
Working on the Google Earth platform we are working on a whale tracking application and website with our partners.
THE GOLFINO COMISSION
A project to look into the impact of swimming with dolphins here in the Azores
TV Documentary | Media Support
The Ocean Azores Foundation is proud to work with a number of individuals and organisations on filming and documentary projects around whales, dolphins and the eco system of the Azores.
RTP TV SHOW: OCEAN +
The Ocean Azores Foundation is delighted to announce we have started an exciting project with Maria Andersen, who presents on RTP AÇORES. For this project she will interview for her TV show involved with the ocean that surrounds the Azores islands.
Documentaries
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
The Ocean Azores Foundation is working with a student from Oxford University on her master degree, looking into how whale hunting communities have moved to whale watching. The film will be shown at outdoor film festivals and events in the UK as well as at the university in 2023.
Netflix: Finding physty
In 2021 The Foundation was proud to support Gaelin Rosenwaks in her project here in the Azores as part of her movie “Finding Physty.” Gaelin takes you on a journey to reconnect with these fabled giants, and reveal the incredible matrilineal bond between whales.
OTHER PROJECTS
GHOST NETS
Entanglement in Fishing Gear and ghost netting is one of the most serious issues facing whales in the ocean. Whales are at high risk of becoming entangled in fishing gear. Once entangled, whales may drag and swim with attached gear for long distances or be anchored in place and unable to swim. Events such as these result in fatigue, and ultimately lead to death.
BEACH CLEAN-UP: TIDY SHARK
The first project that the Ocean Azores Foundation committed to. Working with the volunteer based group Tidy Shark who organise beach clean-ups on the island of São Miguel.
PASTIC REDUCTION AT FESTIVALS
The Ocean Azores Foundation is committed to see a complete ban on single use plastic in the Azores. This will be a decades long project with many steps to be completed. One of the first areas to be addressed is the huge waste of single use plastic and cups used at outdoor and beach festivals.
9 Islands. 1 Ocean.
The Ocean Azores Foundation was created in the Azores for the ocean that surrounds us. We aim to invest our resources in selected community projects that will help drive lasting social and environmental change, focusing on the protection of the waters that surround the Azores Islands. This will be achieved through multi-year partnerships and providing funding for organisations that promote marine sustainability and sustainable tourism.