The Regional Director for Fisheries defended that the fishing sector "cannot be isolated from the broader maritime context in which it is included or from other fishing policies linked to maritime activities." According to him, "fishing largely depends on the access to the maritime space and healthy marine ecosystems."
 
Moreover, Luís Rodrigues said the fishing economy "is highly influenced by trends related to employment and development in coastal communities, namely the emergence of new sectors that provide opportunities towards the reconversion or diversification of income."
 
In this regard, the government official stressed that "the competition for the maritime space is increasing with the growth of areas dedicated to activities other fishing, such as diving."
 
The Regional Director spoke Thursday at the forum "Thinking our island (also) underwater" that was held in Santa Cruz da Graciosa under the "Our sea, our island 2017" project. It was intended to reflect on topics related to the responsible and sustainable use of the sea, particularly the exploration of marine resources for professional and leisure purposes and the preservation of habitats.
 
According to Luís Rodrigues, this initiative is "in line" with the Programme of the Government, namely regarding "measures to raise the awareness of the fishing community and civil society for the importance of respecting oceans and their resources."
 
"Thinking about fisheries policies requires a new and comprehensive vision about the sea, as advocated by the Integrated Maritime Policy," said the government official. He added that "the Government of the Azores continues investing in the production of knowledge and awareness "for issues related to the conservation of fishing resources.
 
In this regard, Luís Rodrigues highlighted some programmes supported by the Regional Directorate for Fisheries, including the National Data Collection Plan, the Azores Fisheries Observation Programme (POPA), the Demersal Species Campaign, and the COSTA and Discardless projects. He also mentioned that the Costal Resources Monitoring Plan is being established in the Region.
 
The forum "Thinking our island (also) underwater" is organised by Graciosa Fishers' Association and the research project "Social representations of traditional fishing professionals on public policies for the sustainable management of marine resources of the Biosphere Reserve islands" of the Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences of Universidade Nova de Lisboa (New University of Lisbon). The event was addressed to the fishing community of Graciosa island and to the population in general in a "maritime citizenship" action.