Clarification from the Office of the Regional Under Secretary of Fishing

Regarding the news published in the Media on the depletion of some fishing quotas, the office of the Regional Under Secretary of Fishing clarifies the following:

1. Fishing quotas are set by the European Union and apply to some species caught in the Azores Sea.

2. Of the 96 different species caught in the Azores Sea, only 14 were granted an individual quota this year

3. Some of these species have a common quota and are caught by Azorean, Madeira and Portuguese fleets.

4. This is the case of quotas stipulated for splendid alfonsino and alfonsino, whose limit was reached in July as in previous years.

5. Given the large difference in market value between these two species, the Regional Government, in conjunction with the Azores Fisheries Federation, has already submitted a proposal to the National Government concerning the implementation of a management measure in 2013. This measure allows solely the catch of alfonsino after 80% of the quota is reached in order to prevent the quota from being closed in coming years.

6. Although there is still an available quota for bigeye tuna, the Regional Government, also in conjunction with the Azores Fisheries Federation, has already started the process to exchange bigeye tuna quotas for albacore among the Spanish and French administrations such as last year.

7. The Government has already scheduled a meeting with the fisheries associations, the Azores Fisheries Federation and researchers from the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries next Monday, August 6, with the purpose of debating the management of fishing resources in the Azores Sea, including the species with a stipulated quota.

8. One should mention that the 96 different species caught in the Azores were sold in the fish market in the first 7 months of 2012. The amount of fish unloaded has reached 9,122 tonnes and a total sum of 25.3 million Euros, which represents an increase in value of about 5.1% compared to the same period last year. This situation also represents an enhancement of fishing products for fishers because with less 4% of fish unloaded, the income grew 5% compared to the previous year.