"The island of Corvo will turn off public lighting until 8 November, between 00:00 and 06:00. From 25 until 30 October, during the most critical period, every night between 21:00 and at 4:00 there will be a general blackout", informs the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), which promotes the initiative with the Municipality of Corvo.

In a press release, SPEA underlines that the "measure is intended to protect the most endangered group of birds in the world, raise awareness of the problem of light pollution and encourage other municipalities in the region, with the largest breeding population of the most emblematic sea bird in Macaronesia, the Shearwater (Calonectris borealis), to adhere".

In 2020, the island of Corvo was also the scene "for the first time of a general blackout worldwide" to save seabirds.

SPEA explains that this initiative "focuses on the most critical period for this seabird with regard to light pollution", at a time of year when "birds such as the shearwater are abandoning their nests and going to sea".

These blackouts "contribute to enhance the success of the oldest and most popular Campaign for Conservation and Environmental Education in the Azores, developed by the Government of the Azores, the SOS Cagarro Campaign”.