The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology announced today "a tighter control to stop illegal fishing" in the Azores, stressing the "enforcement of more severe sanctions against recurrent offenders."

The announcement of these measures took place following a complaint made by Graciosa fishers against two local fishing vessels for the practice of longline fishing within three miles.

Fausto Brito e Abreu assured that the Regional Fisheries Inspectorate has access to the data provided by MONICAP ("blue boxes"), a system similar to aircraft "black boxes" that monitors the position and speed of vessels from land. In this context, the government official noted that the "vessels fishing illegally off Graciosa have already been identified."

Following the identification of the vessels, “last summer the Regional Fisheries Inspectorate and the Maritime Police deployed means from Terceira to Graciosa, where they detected illegal situations."

"The fishing licences of the offending vessels may be suspended as a result of these legal proceedings," said the government official.

Fausto Brito e Abreu emphasised that the Regional Fisheries Inspectorate "is one of the services available to ensure that fishing activities can be developed in a sustained manner," respecting marine ecosystems and generating income for the fishing community." In this regard, the Government will implement measures in order to "defend those who respect these principles and ensure the sustainability of this activity."

The installation of "blue boxes" in the vessels licensed for the practice of bottom-set longline fishing will be one of the measures to be implemented. This is also an important tool for the safety of fishers.

The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology revealed that "other concerted actions with forces of authority will be implemented on the island of Graciosa and in the Region as well." According to him, the Government "is undertaking efforts to carry out surveillance missions at sea with the cooperation of the Maritime Police."

"Lately, we have been receiving complaints from various sources, including shipowners and fishers, reporting illegal practices regarding the exploitation of marine resources. We know that we live in a difficult period that is characterised by low abundance and a reduction in fishing activities; however, this cannot be a reason for illegal practices," said Fausto Brito e Abreu.