António José Seguro visited the Mission Structure for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC) in Paço de Arcos, Oeiras, responsible for gathering scientific evidence to support Portugal’s submission to the United Nations to extend the outer limit of its maritime continental shelf.
The aim of this submission is to expand Portugal’s sovereignty beyond the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to exploit and utilize marine resources on the seabed and subsoil.
However, for the United Nations to accept the submission, Portugal must prove that the sediments on the ocean floor have geological characteristics linked to the national coast.
To this end, EMEPC supports national scientific projects and conducts its own research, including through a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), which António José Seguro observed. This vehicle can descend up to six thousand meters to collect geological samples from the seabed.
At the end of the visit, António José Seguro expressed his admiration for EMEPC and advocated that the sea and oceans should be a national priority.
“I do not know of another project in the country with this scope and potential for wealth and resource recovery,” he emphasized, highlighting that deep-sea scientific knowledge can be applied to the economy, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, or cosmetics.
The presidential candidate stated that the maritime sector presents a “huge opportunity” for national development and should not be treated as a “sectoral issue.”
“It must be central in the political life of our country and should not cause partisan division. On the contrary, it should be a reason for unity. This is a new world before us,” he said.
Regarding EMEPC, António José Seguro identified it as one of the most “relevant projects” for asserting Portuguese sovereignty and argued that it needs to be “embraced by all Portuguese, political parties, governments, and the Presidency of the Republic.”
For António José Seguro, the modern concept of sovereignty requires the ability to manage national territory and resources, including those in the deep sea.
“The political power has a duty: to provide all resources. Human and technical resources must not be lacking for those who work here,” he stated.
In this context, the presidential candidate called for the EMEPC mandate to become permanent. Currently set to end on December 31, he argues that a permanent status would “provide stability for people” and ensure that their submission to the United Nations does not have to “start from the beginning” if the structure’s mandate concludes.
