Carla Dâmaso

Marine Biologist · Marine Educator · Science Communicator

Carla Dâmaso is a Marine Biologist, Marine Educator, and Science Communicator with a degree in Marine Biology and Fisheries and a Master’s in Integrated Ocean Studies. Living on Faial Island since 2002, she began her career at the University of the Azores in fisheries research, later dedicating herself to science outreach that promoted the value and sustainability of Azorean marine resources.

Since 2013, Carla has coordinated the Azores’ Sea Observatory (OMA), leading initiatives that connect research with schools, communities, and stakeholders while promoting ocean literacy and environmental awareness.

OMA played a central role in implementing the ecoRoute project in the Azores, ensuring that it reflects local needs while aligning with regional and European priorities. ecoRoute has combined scientific monitoring, education, and community engagement through activities that document marine biodiversity and link it with cultural heritage. A flagship outcome is the co-design of an interpretative underwater trail in Porto Pim Bay, developed in partnership with LIFE IP Azores Natura, which integrates the Main shipwreck with local biodiversity and educational resources.

Other achievements include the planning of a mooring buoy system to protect sensitive sites, the development of immersive 360º digital tools for schools and non-divers, the planning of a Knowledge Awareness Centre in Horta, and hands-on recycling workshops with schools and the wider community. Public outreach has been reinforced through ecoRoute’s presence at Festival Maravilha 2025, where marine heritage and sustainability were brought to the forefront.

In her conference presentation, Carla will share how ecoRoute has been implemented in the Azores, the outcomes already achieved, and the impacts expected in the coming years. The purpose of this session is to illustrate how innovative, regenerative marine and coastal tourism products can emerge when science, education, heritage, and community engagement come together. This contribution aligns with the conference’s broader aim: to highlight that, despite the ocean’s central role in our region — geographically, economically, and culturally — tourism offerings often remain limited. By sharing the Azorean experience, Carla hopes to inspire new approaches for tourism operators and stakeholders across the NORA region (Greenland, Iceland, Coastal Norway, and the Faroe Islands) to develop sustainable and forward-looking ocean-based experiences.