Wild Azure Blue
Directed, shot edited, colour graded
by Martina Trepczyk
In collaboration with Ocean Culture Life
Music by David Furrer
Drone shot of Bride’s Whale, Hammerhead & Tuna by Fadia Al Abbar & Lorenzo Fiori under the research project 'Azores Delphis Project', Azores Whale Watching TERRA AZUL™, Wageningen University & Research, Universidade dos Açores
Drone shot of Sperm Whales & Orcas by Seán O'Callaghan under the research project 'Sperm Whale Scale', Atlantic Technological University
Drone shots were obtained under permits as stated in the credits of the film
WILD AZURE BLUE - Marine Protected Areas of Azores, Portugal
Unlike any other is the shade of Azure Blue. The Azores lie at the junction of several tectonic plates, making them one of the most geologically dynamic regions on Earth. Since late 2024, 30% of Azorean waters form the largest marine protected area network in the North Atlantic, known as RAMPA (287,000 km² / 110,800 mi²).
Formally, Portugal and the EU prohibit deep‑sea bottom trawling in protected areas and below 800m. However, monitoring of fisheries and bycatch needs improvement, and practical enforcement varies, so it still occurs.
Short film, 2 Minutes
2025
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- sound great, what’s the catch?
Unlike any other is the shade of Azure Blue. The Azores lie at the junction of several tectonic plates, making them one of the most geologically dynamic regions on Earth. For certain, they are one of Martina Trepczyk’s favourite places.
Since late 2024, 30% of Azorean waters form the largest marine protected area network in the North Atlantic, known as RAMPA (287,000 km² / 110,800 mi²). Its structure is divided into fully and highly protected zones. Only “fully protected“ means no‑take, where all extractive activities are banned. That includes bottom trawling, gill nets and long lining. Highly protected zones have very tight restrictions to minimize environmental impact.
Formally, Portugal and the EU prohibit deep‑sea bottom trawling in protected areas and below 800m. However, monitoring of fisheries and bycatch needs improvement, and practical enforcement varies, so it still occurs.
Bottom trawling has been documented, and more endangered shark species have been caught as bycatch. Portugal remains second largest shark meat exporter worldwide. In the Azores, deep sea sharks make up 25-30% of bottom trawler bycatch.
Shark conservation still has miles to go. Square-miles.
So that the ocean can be, what it should be: wild.
