The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology considered the proposed cuts to the catches of red seabream off the Azores is excessive, despite agreeing with the precautionary principle and the species conservation goals defended by the European Commission.

"The Government of the Azores disagrees with the proposed reduction of the quota for red seabream and will consult scientists at the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores in order to prepare a counterproposal in conjunction with the Azores Fisheries Federation," said Fausto Brito e Abreu. The government official spoke in the context of the presentation of EU Commission's proposal aiming at a 34% reduction in red seabream catches off the Azores in 2015 and a similar cut in 2016.

The Regional Secretary stressed that "there has been a decrease in breeding redseabream specimens and that this species lack attention. However, this species "has already been subject to protection measures implemented by the Regional Government." In this context, the government official added that the Government accepts the reduction of fishing quotas in the coming years, but with less "significant" reductions than those proposed by the European Commission.

The available scientific data are the result of oceanographic campaigns that are promoted by the Government on an annual basis to assess fishing stocks and the recorded number of catches.
With regard to red seabream species, the Government of the Azores has already take some measures to increase breeding specimens by extending the prohibition area of bottom-set longlines near the coast up to six miles and placing a ban on the catch of horse mackerel for bait.

Fausto Brito e Abreu defended that red seabream is an important species for the regional fishing sector and, for that reason; the fishers' association will be heard on the matter. In this context, the government also stressed the importance of hearing the scientific community in order to help the "Government making an informed decision that safeguards the sustainability of red seabream catches in the Azores."

In addition to the proposal to reduce the quota of red seabream quota, the European Commission also proposes a 14% decrease in national black scabbard quota and a 5% reduction in the national alfonsino quota.

The Regional Secretary considered that the Government "may accept the proposed cuts to the catch of black scabbard, which would be imposed on the national overall quota. The proposed reduction would not be worrisome for the Region." Nonetheless, the government official conveyed the Government's disagreement regarding the amount set by the European Commission for the alfonsino quota.

"In this context, the Regional Government will seek further clarification on the propose quota reduction, taking into consideration that the available data on catches indicate that the stock is in good condition," said Fausto Brito e Abreu.