The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology criticised the outcome of the meeting of EU Council of Fisheries Ministers that was held in Brussels. It approved a reduction of 25% in the total allowable catch (TAC) of red seabream in the Azores Sea between 2015 and 2016. Nevertheless, the figure was lower than 34% reduction in quotas that was initially proposed by the European Commission in October.

"The reduction of the red seabream quota is still higher than what was expected by the Azores. However, this cut is not so drastic compared to the figures proposed by the International Council for the Exploration of Oceans. Indeed, this body defended a 60% reduction in the quota for 2015 and an identical reduction in 2016," Fausto Brito e Abreu revealed, adding that the initial proposal "was far more damaging."

The government official considered that "a reduction of 25% in the red seabream quota is excessive," but underlined "that the efforts undertaken by the Regional Government in Lisbon and Brussels enabled the reduction of the estimated cuts for 2015 and 2016." In this regard, the Regional Secretary recalled the EU Commission's proposal for a 34% cut in each of these years.

"In 2015, our TAC will allow us to catch 678 tonnes of red seabream, which is higher than the annual average of catches in the last five years, and in the following year the TAC will be set at 508 tonnes. Even though it represents a decrease of 80 tonnes regarding the current catches, it still allows us to make important catches for the regional fisheries sector in the Region," mentioned Fausto Brito e Abreu.

The Regional Secretary reiterated that "red seabream is one of the species with the highest commercial value in the Azores, being a relevant species both economically and socially." He recalled that "in the next two years, the International Council for the Exploration of Oceans will pay special attention to red seabream. If they consider that the abundance index for this species is recovering, there will be the possibility of restoring the quota to figures similar to those of 2014, which allows the Azores to catch 904 tonnes of red seabream."

"The Regional Government, in conjunction with industry partners, will study the best way to manage the catches of red seabream so that the reduction that was now imposed may have the least possible impact on the Autonomous Region of the Azores," said the Regional Secretary.

During the negotiations in the EU Council of Fisheries Ministers, which took place in Brussels on Monday, Portugal insisted in the traditional characteristics of the fisheries sector in Outermost Regions such as the Azores, where fishing activities are mainly carried out by small vessels using hand lines and hooks. In this context, the Portuguese representative reiterated the positions taken by Portugal previously, which had been agreed on with the Regional Government.

Fausto Brito e Abreu noted that "the final decision of the Fisheries Council did not reduce the alfonsino quotas, contrary to the proposal submitted by the EU Commission."

Portugal and Spain voted against the final agreement solution that was proposed by the Italian Presidency of European Union, which has earned the support of the remaining member states. Both countries will provide an explanation of vote for the minutes of the Council.