The President of the Azores Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, has been honored with the international Peter Benchley Ocean Awards in the category Excellence in National Leadership—one of the world’s most prestigious distinctions in ocean conservation.

The award ceremony will take place on May 7, 2026, at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, reinforcing the global visibility of ocean leadership emerging from the Azores and Portugal.

Founded by Wendy Benchley and David Helvarg, the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards are widely regarded as the “Oscars of the Ocean,” recognizing individuals and institutions each year for exemplary contributions to the protection and restoration of the marine environment.

The Excellence in National Leadership category honors heads of government whose policies demonstrate ambition and impact in ocean protection and sustainable management at both national and international levels. Previous honorees in leadership and ocean policy categories include figures such as former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Prince Albert II of Monaco, underscoring the award’s rigor and prestige.

The jury panel brings together some of the most respected voices in marine science and conservation, including oceanographer Sylvia Earle, a global reference in deep-sea exploration and ocean advocacy.

The distinction comes at a time when the Azores—supported by the Blue Azores program—are internationally recognized for creating the largest Marine Protected Areas network in the North Atlantic. Covering approximately 30% of Azorean waters, the network includes fully protected and highly protected zones that meet international conservation standards and operates under an innovative co-governance model involving scientists, fishers, and local communities.

The award, therefore, represents not only a personal recognition of José Manuel Bolieiro’s leadership but also a broader affirmation of the Azores and Portugal as global leaders in ocean conservation,making a concrete contribution to the worldwide goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.

In Diário dos Açores, Paulo Viveiros, director.