The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Ponta Delgada that the labelling of fish may be a "decisive step" towards the valuation of the fish caught in the Azores Sea and the "generation of income in the fisheries sector."

Speaking at the presentation of the pilot project for the labelling of Azorean fish, Fausto Brito e Abreu stressed that this initiative will allow fish buyers to access the Internet page of Lotaçor, through a QR code (Quick Response) on the label, and collect information about the product, ensuring its traceability.

The Regional Secretary for the Sea reminded that the traceability of fish is "one of the purposes of the Common Fisheries Policy," noting that the Government of the Azores and Lotaçor are "testing fish labelling technologies and adapting databases."

In a first phase, the labelling of fish, which will be initially made in about a dozen species of high commercial value, such as red seabream, snowy grouper, alfonsino and snapper. It will be implemented in the Azores over the next year, through the support granted under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

"In addition to differentiating Azorean fish, the labelling of fish also improves the control and surveillance of fishing activities, thus preventing parallel market activities," said the Regional Secretary.

Brito e Abreu also emphasised that this measure, which is included in the document "Better Fisheries, More Income presented in April," associates Azorean fish to the concepts of sustainability and traditional fishing.

"Labelling fish caught in the Azores is to make it unique. This measure highlights the use of traditional fishing methods, the respect for responsible fishing practices and the exceptional quality of our marine environment," said the government official.

In addition to the presentation of the project pilot for fish labelling, Lotaçor and the Society for the Business Development of the Azores (SDEA) signed this morning a contract to include the "Azores Brand" in Lotaçor's seal as a "guarantee of quality." It contributes to the promotion of Azorean fish as a high quality product in domestic and international fish markets.

Besides the "Azores Brand," the label placed on fish also contains the QR code that allows quick access to the information on the specimen, including the date and place of capture, the location of unloading, and the capture method, i.e., fishing techniques used.

Brito e Abreu also stressed that the presence of the "Azores Brand" is a "powerful marketing tool that arouses the curiosity of consumers about the place of catch.

The presentation of the pilot project for fish labelling was one of the initiatives promoted by the Government of the Azores to mark the National Maritime Day.