The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology guaranteed today that "the [low] income of fishers on some islands is a problem that has come to the attention of the Regional Government is aware," stressing that this issue "is closely related to the relations vessel owners-fishers."
 
In this regard, Gui Menezes pointed out that "sometimes the Azorean Government does not play a key role," but assured that, on the Government's part, "the daily work intends to boost the income of the sector."
 
Gui Menezes spoke at the end of a meeting with Porto de Abrigo Cooperative that addressed issues related to the current situation of fisheries in the Azores.
 
Questioned about the claim of Porto de Abrigo for a closed season in the Region, the Secretary stated that, from a technical point of view, he disagrees with that approach "because it does not immediately result in rising stocks."
 
"Closed seasons result for some species and in situations when stocks are very low," the government official said, adding that "when this is not the case, these measures have little effect on revitalisation of stocks."
 
In this regard, he pointed out the example of the management of the red seabream stock. In this case, the Regional Government opted for "a more gradual approach to management of the species" by imposing quarterly quotas in order to ensure an effective increase in the income of fishers by the end of the year.
 
"So far, the results have been positive and this seems to be the path," said the government official.
 
The Regional Secretary stated that "the sustainability of resources [fish] is at the forefront of the concerns" of the Government, recalling, in this sense, we are preparing an analysis to the sector in order to check "whether we have, in fact, a fishing effort too high on some islands or not, and in which fisheries."
 
"The sustainability of resources is the basis of our dialogue and our work," the government official said, adding that "this issue is related to the income of fishers."
 
Gui Menezes stated that we will complete an internal report on the analysis of the sector by the end of this month. It will allow us "start a process of reflection on measures to mitigate some of the problems identified."
 
"Simultaneously, we are working with other government departments in order to find joint work opportunities that may result in measures as well as in integrated solutions and alternatives for the fisheries sector," the government official said.
 
The Regional Secretary for the Sea stressed that, with regard to fisheries, "the reality between islands is quite different." As a possible solution to some problems, he pointed out the transfer of fishers from islands where there is an excessive number of fishers to other islands where there is shortage of labour.
 
"The Government of the Azores is always open and available to talk with all the associations [fishing] and to solve together problems [in the industry], said the government official.
 
The government official also highlighted the training of fishers as a Government's priority for the sector, noting, for example, that a programme will be created to increase the training of fishers, through dual certification; it ensures the training of fishers and the issuance of the Seaman's Book.
 
According to Gui Menezes, decentralised training courses for fishers and skippers will also continue to be a major priority of the Government.
 
Besides the meeting with the Porto de Abrigo Cooperative, the Regional Secretary for the Sea also met this afternoon with the new Sete Mares association. It also discussed some issues identified by the association that deserve the attention of this department given their relevance.