The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources accompanied a mission conducted by the Portuguese Navy in Formigas Nature Reserve on Thursday at the invitation of Azores Maritime Zone Command. The government official conveyed his satisfaction for noting the existence of a "significant number" of marine species.

"I had the opportunity of diving and I was able to notice the existence of a large number and variety of species in the entire area surrounding the islets, which is very encouraging," said Luís Neto Viveiros after disembarking from the Corvette "João Roby" at Ponta Delgada Port on Thursday evening.

For the Regional Secretary, the visible recovery of populations and biodiversity in that area is the result of protection measures that will also have a positive impact on fish stocks.

"It brings a very significant advantage for the survival of these species as well as for the recovery of fishing banks," such as the case of Mar da Prata fishing bank, thus contributing to the "promotion of sustainability," said the Regional Secretary.

Regarding this sector, Luís Neto Viveiros also conveyed his satisfaction with the increase of funds allocated under POSEI fisheries programme to the Azores and Madeira, which will increase from the annual 4.3 million Euros to 6.4 million Euros in the period 2014-2020.

"This is very important news for our Region. The increase of funds is the result of the recent negotiations between the Government of the Azores and the European Commission in Brussels as well as of the recent visit made by Commissioner Maria Damanaki to our Region," said the Regional Secretary, who also highlighted the contribution provided by the associations in the sector.
 
However, Luís Neto Viveiros warned that this decision still needs to be approved by the European Parliament under the debate on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). In this regard, the Azores defend that POSEI should not be included in this fund.