The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated today that the safety and operation of fishing ports is a "priority" of the Government as well as the enhancement of the value of fish products and the investments in the network of refrigerator equipment, namely cold storage units and fish markets; the latter "which will be subject to interventions on all islands."

Speaking at the end of a hearing at the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly on the proposed Plan and Budget for 2016, Fausto Brito e Abreu said the investment plan for next year provides 27.6 million Euros for fisheries and aquaculture, representing an increase of 14% compared to 2015.

In this context, the government official stressed the continuation of the main strategic lines of the Government, namely the increase of fishers' income, training and qualification, the enhancement of regional fish products, supervision and monitoring of fisheries, and the sustained management of resources and fisheries.

The Regional Secretary for the Sea said the amount of investment in the training of fishers, which increases about 80% compared to 2015, fulfils the Government's goal towards the creation of a fisher course on all islands.

On the other hand, there will be an increase of 39% in investments in the action "Markets and Marketing," which includes the allocation of about 800 thousand Euros for the operation and training of associations and fishers' organisations, including the installation of the Advisory Committee for Outermost Regions (CCRUP) on Terceira Island.

With regard to investments in inspection and marine management, the amount stands at 1.4 million Euros, an increase of 26% compared to 2015. The Regional Secretary highlighted the cooperation with the University of the Azores in the context of specific studies to support the sustainable management of fisheries; development aquaculture; investment in the introduction of new technologies for inspection and surveillance, such as video surveillance and the use of unmanned aircraft; the launch of pilot projects in order to enhance the value of fish products and their traceability, namely the labelling of fish.

Fausto Brito e Abreu also mentioned that "the number of interventions in port infrastructure increases and, subsequently, the number of fishers benefiting from these interventions."

To 2016, the Government has planned the renovation of the cold storage units of Madalena (Pico) Velas (São Jorge) and Vila Franca do Campo (São Miguel).