It is the second edition of the fund for conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
The Lisbon Oceanarium (LO) in partnership with the "National Geographic Channel" intend to encourage the conservation of endangered species, improve knowledge about the specimens that depend on coastal ecosystems and promote the maintenance of existing biodiversity, through the Fund Inaqua. The focus this year is the preservation of the lagoons, estuaries and rivers of Portugal. 15,000 euros is the amount awarded to the best conservation project, which according to John Falcato, administrator of LO, "intends to support through the" Fund Inaqua "projects that the final result contributes decisively to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems ".
The target set for this year's edition, arises because these "ecosystems present themselves severely affected by human activities such as fishing, dredging and disposal of organic and chemical products. Pollution, habitat loss and degradation have revealed widespread consequences for fauna and flora.
The lagoons are extremely important regionally, presenting an obvious ecological and scientific value, economic and social. Its high biodiversity (marine and terrestrial), as well as the socio-economic issues associated with it that determines the urgent need to protect and conserve these areas. For the ecological importance of these ecosystems, the Ria Formosa lagoon system was one of the first protected areas created in our country. These wetlands are also international importance as a habitat for many species of waterfowl. Many birds use these areas as a point of feeding, nesting and shelter in migratory pauses. For this reason many of these systems are considered as ramsar sites, currently subject to some statutory protection, either because they include the national network of protected areas, because they have been designated as special protection areas under the Birds directive or contained in national list of sites defined the scope of the habitats directive. Portugal is a member of the convention of migratory species that among other agreements, the agreement incorporates African-Eurasian waterfowl. "
To the award may apply, public or private nonprofit legally recognized, presenting projects that contribute to the survival of endangered species, to improve the knowledge we have of them that depend on these coastal ecosystems and promote the maintenance of biodiversity existent. Applications held between September 3rd and 1st of November 2012.
