After hearing the partners of the fisheries sector, the Regional Government has decided to define the maximum catch volumes of alfonsino and splendid alfonsino (Beryx) in the archipelago for commercial purposes.
 
An ordinance published today in the Official Journal stipulates that each regional vessel may fish up to 15% of the total "Beryx" quota allocated to the Region on an annual basis. Vessels are not authorised to unload, per tide, more than 1.5% of the overall regional quota for this species, which totals 154 tonnes.
 
This ordinance comes into force on Friday, December 15. Given the fact that the "Beryx" quota is closed until the end of this year, it will only be effectively implemented on January 1, 2018.
 
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology mentioned the fact that, for the first time, the Azores could "manage internally" the alfonsino and splendid alfonsino quota, which ensures a "more efficient management."
 
According to Gui Menezes, this quota management model allows fishers to catch "Beryx" species throughout the year in the Region, "as each vessel has a catch limit per tide."
 
"Azorean fishers may increase their income from catches of this species," added the government official.
 
An ordinance published in the Official Gazette in May established an allocation key of the "Beryx" quota for the fleet registered in Mainland Portugal and the fleet registered in the Azores.
 
Since then, the Region has held 85% of the global national "Beryx" quota, which corresponds to 55% of the European quota for this species.
 
The proposal to divide this quota between Mainland Portugal and the Azores had been presented earlier this year by the Regional Secretary to the Minister of the Sea during a meeting in Lisbon.
 
Under the European Commission's public consultation on fishing opportunities for 2018, the Azores proposed a 10% increase in Beryx fishing opportunities.