The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for the Sea, Science and Technology, has established the guidelines for the allocation of fishing gear houses in order to promote equality and justice among the users of these support infrastructures, which are solely intended for storage of fishing gear.

This guideline awards priority status in the allocation of fishing gear houses to fishing vessel owners that meet the following criteria: highest quantity fish unloaded in the last two years of activity, seniority in the licensing for the exercise of fishing vessels, and the number of vessels used for fishing activities.

This document only concerns the rules on the allocation of fishing gear houses. It does not amend the rules of its operation that were stipulated in a decree published in March 2014.

The allocation of fish gear houses has a maximum duration of two years, with the possibility of extending renewal for periods of one year.

With the establishment of this guideline, which was welcomed by the Azores Fisheries Federation and other industry partners, the Regional Government wants to introduce equitable and transparent criteria in the allocation of fishing gear houses, thus ensuring the compliance of users with the stipulated rules.