The members of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club met up in Setùbal from 15 to 17 May 2009, for the opening of the 5th Club Congress, the theme of which was “United by Ocean”.

The delegations had the opportunity to explore the city of Setùbal and visit the Setubal Bay Centre, which is a permanent exhibition site devoted to the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club.

The first day of the Congress was very studious, and was devoted to presenting the many issues related to the protection and conservation of oceans, as well as the actions and projects undertaken by the Club in relation to these essential questions, for the future of bays, oceans and therefore the earth.

The second day was devoted to the Club’s Annual General Meeting. The Club committee was renewed, Mr. Jérôme BIGNON was re-elected as the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club’s President for 3 years.

The third and last day of the Congress provided the opportunity to visit the magnificent Setubal Bay.


See the 360° panoramic photo of the participants.




Congress Program :

9h30 – Opening Session
Maria das Dores Meira - Mayor of Setúbal
Jerôme Bignon - President of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World
José Manuel Parreira - Tourism Portugal I.P.

10h30 – First session
Mário Ruivo - President of the National Council of the Environment and Sustainable Development
Nancy Hochstrasser-Castillo “Precio Guillaume Leca” - Tadoussac Bay (Canada) and Banderas Bay (Mexico)
Korea – Expo 2012 - Yeosu “The Living Ocean and Coast “
Organizing Committee of EXPO’2012
Moderator: Jerôme Bignon - President of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World

12h30 – Lunch

15h00 – Second session
Carlos Sousa ReisFaculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and Permanent Forum for the Affairs of the Sea (Ministry of National Defence)
Eric LoreThe Elimination of plastic bags
Moderator: André Martins - Chairman of the Setúbal Bay Association

16h45 Second Session (cont.)
Marina Sequeira and João Carlos FarinhaCommon Bottlenose Dolphin’s population in Sado Estuary – Institute for Nature Conservation & Biodiversity/Department of Management of Classified Areas - Wetlands
Yves Le Gal - Sub Honorary Director of Collége de France, Scientific Committee Daniel Jouvance

17h30 – Closing Session
Carlos Figueiredo - Vice President of the Institute for Nature Conservation & Biodiversity