“This new work is not any work; the new fishing port in Praia is the result of an ambitious project, directed towards the future of this activity and of the island, which resulted in an excellent shelter and service zone for Graciosa’s fishers.”

With this statement, the President of the Government of the Azores mentioned that the newly opened fishing port is a necessary work, deserved by the fishing community of that island.

In addition to mooring berths, floating bridges that enable the simultaneous berthing of more than forty vessels, a 10-tonne crane was installed, new houses for fishing gear were built, as well as a new building to support training courses on fisheries and a the new headquarters of the Association of Graciosa Fishers.

Carlos César underlined that the implemented renewal now offers better working conditions for the fishing community, thus providing bigger logistic facilities and a great safety to the crews of the fishing boats that use that port to carry out their professional activities.

“We believe that the construction of this structured centre of maritime activities, where the Government has invested more than seven million Euros, reinforces the economic sustainability of Graciosa, not only improving the conditions for the fishing activities, but also creating conditions to boost the tourist and recreational activities related to the maritime sector,” said the President.

Speaking about the construction of the new fish market, whose contract work has been already awarded, Carlos César took the opportunity to announce other investments in that port zone to be implemented in this legislative period, such as the installation of docks for beaching, the construction of more houses for fishing gear. These works will exceed the amount of one million and two hundred thousand Euros.

Highlighting the work developed for the renewal of the port network, which had been neglected a decade ago, the President of the Government mentioned the measures created to support fisheries, particularly the increase of the financial aid provided by the POSEI programme on the Cohesion Islands, with a subsidy of 40 cents per kilo for the fish placed in the market by air transport, and of 10 cents fot the tuna for the canning industry.

Carlos Céssar also mentioned the success of the negotiations to renew the fishing fleet, stressing that this measure enables the replacement of the smaller vessels with less comfort and safety conditions by more modern vessels with better working conditions and providing a diversification of catches.

“This activity, like other economic activities, currently presents complex challenges, whether in the resource management, whether in process of market position, but the Government believes and works towards a sustained future for the sector, from which it expects a significant contribution for the Regional economy and for the processing and exporting sectors in the Azores,” concluded the President of the Regional Government.