The President of the Regional Government defended today that public investments in the construction and redevelopment of fishing ports in the Azores are also intended to increase the income of fishers and other professionals in the sector.

"In different levels of levels of intervention, we cannot be limited to the physical infrastructures, because they should have the potential to improve the income of fishers and other professionals," said Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government spoke during the opening of the renewal works of the Fishing Port in the village of Porto Judeu, Terceira Island, an investment of about one million Euros. The interventions included the construction of a new breakwater, which has significantly improved the operating and safety conditions.

The importance of such investments to enhance the competitiveness of the Fisheries sector is "clear to all," Vasco Cordeiro said, pointing out the example of other works that are ongoing or about to be launched, such as the case of the ports in Poças (Flores), Rabo de Peixe and Ribeira Quente (São Miguel).

According to the President of the Government, the contribution of the Fisheries sector to the generation of wealth also involves other key aspects, such as the preservation and sustainability of resources, the successful marketing of some species and the use of the Azores Brand to boost the industry income.

In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that nearly 90 percent of the fish unloaded at the market was caught using traditional fishing techniques, with clear benefits to the preservation and sustainability of resources.

This care in the management of resources is also reflected in measures such as the reserves closed to fishing that were created in partnership with fishers, as the Condor Fishing Bank, and with the Azores Fisheries Observation Programme (POPA).

"All these measures must have practical results in the income of fishers and other professionals in the sector," defended the President of the Government. According to him, fishers and public officials must be aware that the main challenge is to "enhance the sales of fish products."