The Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources signed in Angra do Heroísmo on Wednesday the first of 16 protocols signed with fishing associations throughout the archipelago, corresponding to a global of 500 thousand Euros.
 
The protocols to support the operation and services provided by these associations were signed by the Regional Secretary for Natural Resources, Luís Neto Viveiros, at a meeting with the Azores Fisheries Federation, which comprises 13 associations in the sector.

The meeting was also organised with aim of analysing the current situation of the Fisheries sector in the Region. Luís Neto Viveiros considered this meeting as "very positive", praising "the work developed by these associations for the benefit of their members and the organisation of the sector."

The occasion also served to discuss the guidelines on which the next Community Fisheries Policy will be based, the efforts undertaken by the Region in the defence of the Azores' interests and the challenges and opportunities it represents.

Issues such as the sustainability of resources and the monitoring of their use were also addressed and unanimously defended in this meeting.

The Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources and the representatives of the regional Fisheries sector also analysed different proposals for the fish market rates to be applied on direct supply contracts, the management of unloading at ports and the payment methods for fish sold at the market.