The Regional Director for Fisheries stated in Madalena that the training of professionals in the sector "is not limited to fishers or fishing schools," adding that "partnerships are being developed" with various institutions with the aim of contributing for the training of Azorean shipowners and fishers.
 
Luís Rodrigues spoke Wednesday at the ceremony where he delivered the diplomas to the 19 finalists of the Fisher Category Course that took place on the island of Pico. The government official said he believes "in the rejuvenation of the fishing profession in the Region in the next generation of fishers, who are not only more concerned with the sustainability of resources but also with the optimisation of activity costs, and who will be more familiar with technologies."
 
In his speech, he stressed that the Regional Directorate for Fisheries is developing several initiatives "oriented towards training and learning in the fishing community."
 
In this regard, he pointed out the collaboration with the Regional Directorate for Education in the preparation of awareness-raising actions to "provide schools with information on the importance of respecting the oceans and promoting the sustainability of fishing." This partnership also covers the preparation of courses for "schooling and literacy of fishers and shipowners, "developed in partnership with the Regional Directorate for Employment and Vocational Training.
 
The Regional Directorate for Fisheries, in addition to the Fisher Category Course, recently promoted a training course on Motor Operation on the island of Terceira, which allowed the certification of 55 fishers.
 
For this year, there are planned courses for fishers on São Miguel and Graciosa as well as training courses on motor operation on the islands of Pico, São Miguel and Graciosa.