The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Horta that the Government of the Azores "is deeply committed to making aquaculture a reality in the Region as soon as possible," stressing that it has created the tools to encourage the implementation of this industry in the archipelago, such as the mapping of the areas with the greatest potential.

"The Government of the Azores has supported several research projects conducted by the University of the Azores in this area and reduced the minimum investment amount required to 200 thousand Euros so that the projects developed by aquaculture production units may be eligible for tax benefits," said Fausto Brito e Abreu.

The Regional Secretary spoke at the opening session of the international workshop "Developing Aquaculture in the Azores."
 
The event is organised by the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores with support of the Luso-American Foundation for Development. Moreover, it involved the participation of researchers from the Universities of Rhode Island, Massachusetts at Dartmouth and SEA Association in the USA as well as of US and Portuguese businessmen and members of fishers' associations.

Brito e Abreu highlighted the importance of this meeting for the "contact between researchers" from the University of the Azores with US universities, which he considered to be "strategic partners" in the area of aquaculture. 
In addition to the "cooperation opportunities" in terms of scientific knowledge, Brito e Abreu emphasised the involvement of the business sector, "which also brings practical experience on the challenges it faces to provide an outlet for aquaculture products."

"Today, there are some businesspeople, potential investors, who have come to know the reality of our Region," said the government official. During the meeting, researchers may contact with the private sector to discuss the scientific challenges that the implementation of aquaculture poses in the Azores as well as "the feasibility of this business activity in a Region that is far from the main markets, but has favourable natural conditions."

"This is the ideal time to invest in aquaculture in the Azores," the government official said, defending that fishers "should be involved in this industry."

The workshop "Developing Aquaculture in the Azores," which runs until Friday, is open to the public and will address various topics, including which species should be produced in aquaculture, conservation and transport of fish, feed, aquaculture structures and captive breeding, among others.