The first edition of the Two-Day Training for Public Prosecutors on Maritime Crimes, organized by the Atlantic Centre and the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with EnMAR, UNODC, UNITAR, MAOC-N, and the Portuguese Judiciary Police, aims to strengthen the legal and operational capacity of prosecutors to address maritime crimes. Recognizing that maritime law enforcement is a complex cycle—spanning surveillance, investigation, and prosecution—the programme focuses on integrating legal advisors early in operations to improve both enforcement and judicial outcomes. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of piracy, trafficking, IUU Fishing, and other maritime crimes, while exploring international, regional, and national legal frameworks such as UNCLOS and SUA.
Through a combination of expert lectures, practical workshops, and peer-to-peer learning, the training will enhance prosecutors' ability to collect and preserve evidence at sea, coordinate across jurisdictions, and strengthen cooperation among Atlantic and regional partners. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to play a more proactive role throughout the entire maritime security cycle—helping bridge the gap between operational decision-making and judicial action and contributing to a more coordinated and effective global response to maritime crime.
The first edition took place at the Military University Institute from 28 to 29 October 2025.
Read the full concept note here.
Access the Training Schedule here.
Photo gallery of the event on Flickr available here.
