As the world marks Earth Day, a leading environmental organization in the Azores is raising concerns about what it sees as inconsistent policies in the protection of some of the region’s most fragile natural spaces—warning that short-term economic pressures may be undermining long-term sustainability.

The Associação para a Promoção e Proteção Ambiental dos Açores (APPAA) says it is entirely possible to balance environmental preservation with human presence—but only if clear rules are enforced and applied consistently. In a statement released this week, the group pointed to what it describes as a troubling “duality of criteria” in how protected areas are managed, singling out the case of the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo as a prime example.

Growth Meets Fragility

Over the past decade, tourism in the Azores has surged, driven largely by the archipelago’s dramatic landscapes and unique natural heritage. APPAA acknowledges that this growth has brought economic opportunity—but stresses that conservation is not at odds with tourism. On the contrary, it argues, the preservation of nature is one of the fundamental pillars sustaining the sector itself.

Still, the association warns that not all decisions reflect that principle.

Two Islets, Two Standards

APPAA highlights what it sees as a stark contrast in regulatory approaches between two protected sites. On the same day that authorities approved a tightly controlled access plan for the Ilhéu da Praia, they also moved forward with reopening the Vila Franca islet as a bathing area.

At Ilhéu da Praia, which lies within the Natural Park of Graciosa Island and is designated a strict nature reserve, access is limited to small groups accompanied by environmental wardens or park technicians. Visitors must follow marked trails, a model that APPAA says effectively safeguards a sensitive ecosystem.

By contrast, the Ilhéu de Vila Franca—classified as a regional natural reserve since 1983 and part of multiple layers of protected status—has been reopened for recreational use. The association argues that such a decision overlooks the site’s ecological, geological, and cultural significance, including its designation within the Azores Geopark.

Safety and Sustainability Concerns

APPAA also raises practical concerns. The Vila Franca islet, it notes, lacks the infrastructure required for a safe bathing zone, particularly in terms of emergency response access. Past experience, the group adds, should not be ignored: in years when hundreds of visitors used the crater lagoon daily as a natural swimming pool, water quality was rated poor. Only after bathing was restricted did water conditions improve to acceptable levels.

For the association, this is not merely a question of environmental philosophy—it is a matter of public safety and responsible governance.

Alternatives on Land

The group points out that within the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo itself, there are already four recognized bathing areas, with potential to expand that number significantly. APPAA suggests that developing these coastal sites—many of which face less ecological pressure and boast excellent water quality—would provide a more sustainable solution than reopening a protected islet to mass tourism.

A Call for Coherence

At the heart of APPAA’s message is a call for consistency. The association contrasts the relatively permissive approach at Vila Franca with stricter, recently implemented regulations governing access to sites such as the Caldeira do Faial and Mount Pico, where visitor numbers are controlled and penalties for нарушения enforced. These, APPAA says, are examples of policies that strike a better balance between access and preservation.

The organization is now urging a revision of the visitation rules for the Vila Franca islet, placing priority on ecological protection and controlled use. It emphasizes that “untouched nature” remains one of the Azores’ greatest assets—an attraction in its own right and one that must be preserved with care.

In the end, APPAA’s warning is clear: the future of the Azores as a sustainable destination will depend not only on its natural beauty, but on the clarity—and consistency—of the rules that govern it.

In Diário dos Açores, Paulo Viveiros-director