As part of the Portuguese presidency of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum (ECGFF), which since September 2023 has been assigned to the National Maritime Authority and the National Republican Guard, the first Seminar of the European Coast Guard Services Forum took place from 23 to 25 January in Funchal, organized in partnership with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), under the motto "Harnessing technological innovation for Coast Guard Operations and Enhanced Fisheries Control".

With the presence of the European Commission, organizations such as EMSA and Frontex, and representatives from 24 countries, totalling more than 100 participants, these two days saw discussions on the role of maritime traffic and fisheries inspection bodies, the technological innovation processes that are being developed and which are increasingly necessary for greater capacity for action and inspection, and their relevance as a tool for mitigating threats to maritime safety and inn fisheries.

Created in 2009, the ECGFF is made up of 40 entities from 23 European countries and seven observers, and is supported by the European Commission and the agencies Frontex (European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders), EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) and EFCA (European Fisheries Control Agency).

The DGRM was represented by the Deputy Director General, Dr. Ricardo Segurado, and by the heads of the Maritime Activities Inspection, Monitoring and Control Services.