The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources reiterated today at the Legislative Assembly that the Government of the Azores has taken all steps to defend the interests of the Azorean canning industry with the State and the European Union in the context of the ongoing trade negotiations with Thailand.
 
"As a precaution, these concerns are being taken into account," said Luís Neto Viveiros, who spoke during an interpellation on the situation of Regional Public Sector Companies. The government official also added that there are "expectations" with regard to this matter.

There are four canning companies in the Azores, one of which, Santa Catarina, a company funded by public capital, processes an average of 20 thousand tonnes of tuna a year. This cannery employs about 800 people, mostly women.

In his speech, the government official also reiterated that the goals of the company Espada Pescas are being reviewed, taking into account the developments in the sector.

Nevertheless, Luís Neto Viveiros assured that the revision of the goals will always take into consideration the specific needs of the markets, such as those of the islands of São Jorge and Flores.

The Regional Secretary assured that the tender procedures for the chartering of three vessels by this fish marketing company was "perfectly transparent," after being evaluated by external experts. This process gives shipowners and fishers the possibility of being in charge of the operations of the vessels built to promote the development of alternative fisheries, such as the black scabbardfish.

It should be noted that the decision was taken with the purpose of reducing the costs incurred by Espada Pescas in the operation of three vessels and focusing the company's activity on the concept that has led to its creation, i.e., the intervention in the market to recover the fish species with small market value, particularly on the islands where the marketing channel faces increased difficulties due to the lack of buyers.