The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated on Pico that the project for the contract work to rehabilitate Madalena Cold Storage Unit, with a budget of 63 thousand Euros, is at the final stage, adding that "it must be submitted by the end of this month."
 
Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to that infrastructure, Gui Menezes said the work should represent an investment of 4.5 million Euros, with a completion period of 18 months.
 
The contract work includes the renovation of the building, the installation of new water supply networks, sewage, electricity and telecommunications, automatic fire detection systems as well as the installation of new thermal insulation for refrigerated rooms.
 
The work also provides for the creation of new areas for hygiene, storage and washing of boxes, air-conditioned fish quays and general improvement in the outdoor arrangements of the building- The storage and freezing capacities of fish remain unchanged.
 
Under the Government's visit to Pico, the Regional Secretary for the Sea also visited Madalena Fisheries Centre and the Fish Market as well as Lajes Fisheries Centre.
 
Gui Menezes, who also met with the Pico Traditional Fishing Shipowners Association, emphasised the "important role" this association has playing in the enhancement of Pico fish products by "promoting fish filleting and processing."
 
The government official pointed out as example the Mediterranean parrotfish, a species with low commercial value but with high nutritional value, whose average price on the first sale grew from 1.14 Euros in 2012 to 2.96 Euros in 2017.
 
Gui Menezes also said the "investment in innovation" carried out by that association "should be followed by other associations," mentioning the creation of mullet hamburger, also a species with low commercial value.
 
Regarding the rehabilitation work of Madalena Fisheries Centre, the Regional Secretary stated that, "according to the wishes and requests of the local shipowners, the project is being reformulated and is expected to be concluded soon."
 
The project provides for the construction of an embankment for the installation of a crane and a park area for vessels.