Ana Paula Vitorino spoke at the “Growing Blue” conference, dedicated to “Sustainable and Shared Exploration of the Ocean”, which began on Thursday in Maputo.

“The transnational character of the seas and oceans makes it urgent for international cooperation for its defence,” Vitorino said.

The shared and responsible exploration of marine resources, the increase of protected areas and the monitoring of activities in territorial waters are essential actions for the survival of life in the oceans, she said.

The minister of the sea stressed the importance of the sea economy that ensures the sustainability of marine life species.

She defended the idea of an observatory of marine life and oceans to enable a database available for all countries concerned.

The “Growing Blue” conference gathers about 500 delegates, including 100 outside Mozambique, and aims to discuss opportunities and threats to the oceans.