The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology revealed today that the three main priorities for the sector are the following: increasing the gains of the fisheries sector, namely the income of fishers, promoting the sustainable exploration of the potential of the Azores Sea, and reinforcing the links between the regional scientific and technological system and economic agents.

Speaking at the Legislative Assembly, Fausto Brito e Abreu stated that the Government of the Azores aims "to promote a paradigm shift in the fisheries sector," adding that in order to accomplish this goal, it is necessary "involve fishers in the activities related to the processing and marketing of fish and foster more profitable fisheries."

The Regional Secretary for the Sea announced "a total investment of 24.6 million Euros in the fisheries sector for 2015." As he revealed, the plan for next year "will focus on interventions in port infrastructures and the fishing fleet as well as on the increased investment in the training of fishers."

Moreover, Brito e Abreu mentioned that the plan also includes an "important investment in the network of refrigerator equipment, since it is critical to enhancing the value of fish products."
In his speech, the government official also announced "a tighter monitoring of fishing activities. This measure addresses claims made by fishers' and shipowners' associations."

"The funds allocated to inspection activities will grow 16% in order to improve monitoring and inspection actions throughout the archipelago," assured the Regional Secretary.

According to the Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology, one of the Regional Government's priorities for 2015 is the investment in scientific research focused on the Sea and the development of new economic activities, such as aquaculture, marine biotechnology or the exploitation of marine mineral resources.

In this speech, Brito e Abreu mentioned that the Azorean Government will continue to make sure that the National Government bears in mind the Region's powers in the definition of maritime policies in the archipelago.

In this context, "it is essential that the National Government understands that our autonomic achievements as well as our constitutional and statutory provisions on the management of the Azores Sea are to be complied with," said the government official.

With regard to the Maritime Affairs, the proposed plan for next year provides an overall investment of 5.2 million Euros for the management and redevelopment of coastal areas, monitoring actions as well as for marine environmental monitoring and promotion actions.

The beginning of the construction of the Azores Maritime School in the city of Horta in 2015 is one of the works highlighted by Fausto Brito e Abreu as "a key initiative for the development of the sea-related occupations" in the archipelago.
 
In the areas of Science and Technology, the Regional Secretary revealed that "the public investment in Science will grow 75% compared to 2014, with an allocation of 5.2 million Euros as provided the plan and budget proposal," noting that the "link between the regional technological and scientific system and economic agents will be strengthened."

Brito e Abreu highlighted the 50% growth of support to the activities conducted by research centres, the implementation of research projects, the development and innovation by the entities that make up the Azores Technological and Scientific System, and the promotion of companies with a relevant impact on the maintenance or creation of qualified jobs.

The Regional Secretary stressed that the plan also provides an investment of 350 thousand Euros to support the tripartite structure of the University of the Azores. This amount will complement other funds granted to the University that contribute "to the prestige of the University, the excellence of its human resources as well as to its capacity to attract students and access to independent funding sources."

During his speech at the Legislative Assembly, Fausto Brito e Abreu also announced that the Terceira Science and Technology Park is one of the great works starting in 2015, being "an important development hub for the areas of biotechnology and food industries."