Carlos César revealed on Friday that the Regional Government wants to ensure “safety onboard and improve the protection of maritime work with the establishment of insurance contracts onboard the vessels” of the Azorean fishing fleet.

As the President of the Government explained, “we will financially support each shipowner with 200 Euros for each insurance against accidents at work, absolute disability or death so that they may be able to sign this contract with each crew member.”

For the President of the Government of the Azores, “this is a very important measure, which is also a factor of stability and trust for the people involved in the fishing sector.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Fishing Centre of the Vila do Porto Port on the island of Santa Maria, Carlos César stressed that this improvement in a sector that the Regional Government has carried out a great effort in the modernisation of the fleet, in the renewal of the port structures, in the reinforcement of the network of refrigerator and freezer equipments as well as in other segments of the fishing activity which he considers important for the Azorean economy.

One of these interventions was undertaken following the bad weather conditions that have affected the archipelago, which have lead the Regional Government to allocate a total of 1.5 million Euros, only the first quarter of 2010, in order to support fishers who were unable to work.

Fish marketing was also mentioned by the President of the Government who not only assured the intervention in the first sale, but also announced another measures, such as the construction of the fish distribution market in Lisbon, which is at a final stage. This structure may enhance the fish caught in the Azores.

The Fishing Centre of the Vila do Porto Port, opened on Friday, also includes a 120 metre mooring berth, a parking area for vessels and a new beaching ramp.

There are still some undergoing works in the port area such as the renewal of the refrigerator infrastructures, the installation of a beaching dock with capacity for 75 tonnes and other equipment that will provide the “required services for an efficient productive activity,” stressed Carlos César.