Open letter to future governments: managing the ocean only with science
In a joint appeal to political decision-makers, the directors of the main marine science research units in Portugal - including MARE's director, Pedro Raposo de Almeida - have published an open letter addressed to future governments, stressing the urgency of ocean management based on scientific knowledge, technological investment and a long-term strategic vision. 
The letter, signed by representatives of MARE, CCMAR, CESAM, CIIMAR and Okeanos, highlights the paradoxical situation in which Portugal finds itself: as a country with an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) significantly larger than its land territory, it does not have the necessary means to adequately study and monitor its own ocean. The researchers warn that national research vessels are scarce, obsolete and rarely accessible to universities, which hinders the production of essential knowledge for effective and sustainable governance of the sea.
The document reinforces that, despite recent scientific advances, national marine research continues to be limited by budgetary constraints, lack of modern infrastructure and difficulties in accessing ship time, putting the country behind neighbors like Spain, whose oceanographic fleet is managed in a collaborative and integrated manner.
The authors of the letter call on the next government to put science at the heart of strategic decisions, pointing out that the goal of investing 3% of national GDP in research and development by the end of the decade should be seen as an unavoidable commitment to the country's sustainable future.
The open letter is signed by:
To read the letter click HERE