The Regional Director for Fisheries conveyed today his satisfaction with the approval of the Rules on the new Common Fisheries Policy at the European Parliament. With this new document, the Azorean Government will have the possibility of reserving an area around the seamounts located outside 100 miles of the Azorean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the exclusive access to the regional fishing fleet.

"The new Rules are in line with some of the claims defended by the Azorean Government, more specifically the maintenance of the principle of biogeographically sensitive areas, which will allow the Region to reserve an area around the seamounts located outside 100 miles of the Azorean EEZ" said Luís Costa.

Furthermore, Member States will have the power to decide on the implementation of transferable quotas. In this regard, the Regional Government is considering the possibility of safeguarding the fundamental rights on traditional coastal fishing in the Azores.

With regard to the creation of the Advisory Council for Outermost Regions (ORs), Luís Costa stated the Azores consider that this body of "particular relevance insofar as it allows ORs to directly issue reports on the policies to be implemented by the European Union for the sector."