The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Ponta Delgada that we need "to promote fish species with less commercial value that have a high nutritional value."

"The diversification of fish consumption in the Region is a way to ensure the sustainability of our resources and the valuation of fish caught in the Azores," defended Fausto Brito e Abreu. The Regional Secretary spoke Tuesday at the presentation of the project "Valuing the Azores Sea," an initiative promoted by Cresaçor in partnership with the Regional Secretariat for the Sea, Science and Technology, Lotaçor, Tourism and Hotel School and Capelas Vocational Training School.

Fausto Brito e Abreu conveyed his satisfaction with the results of this project. It involved more than twenty students from São Miguel vocational training schools with the aims of raising the awareness of future chefs for culinary innovation as well as for the importance of the diversified and sustainable consumption of fresh fish.

"Under this project, young chefs had the challenge to use less valued fish species, such as ray, forkbeard, Mediterranean parrotfish, mullet or filefish to create new dishes," said the government official.

For Brito e Abreu, "the valuation of fish will be a determining factor in the increase of fishers' income as well as in the success of the fisheries sector." This is one of the measures that is comprised by the strategic document "Better Fisheries, More Income," presented by the Regional Secretary for the Sea at the last Regional Fisheries Council.

"The cultural and ecological dimension of traditional fisheries in the Azores Region has earned the recognition as one of the most sustainable tourist destinations in the world," the government official said, adding that "the fish caught in the Azores is certified as 'Friend of the Sea' and 'Dolphin Safe'."

The project "Valuing the Azores Sea" involves schools, associations and restaurants. It comprises a major non-formal educational component and is funded by the Programme Youth in Action - Youth Initiative.

The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs, who also attended the event, stated that "learning outside the formal context of a school activity is not done without a method," highlighting this project as a "prime example" of non-formal education that "responds to the need of raising the awareness of young professionals for the sustainability of our seas."

The initiative also includes the creation of a digital cookbook, which will be available for free, and a series of promotional products, such as school timetables, notepads, individual paper tablecloth and a digital book. These materials will be distributed at schools and restaurants.

Under this project, several initiatives to be held at schools, elderly homes, catering companies, commercial establishments and restaurants in order to promote an increasing introduction of less valued fish species on their menus.