The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Horta that the Government of the Azores will "pursue a strategy to improve the efficiency and sustainability" of the fisheries sector, "based on knowledge and dialogue with all industry partners."
 
Gui Menezes spoke at the Legislative Assembly during the presentation of the Programme for the Government. He mentioned that the Government "intends to continue fulfilling the goal towards the management of marine resources in a precautionary and sustainable manner," emphasising "the important role" played by the University of the Azores and Research Centres in this field.
 
In this regard, the government official pointed out the maintenance of the red seabream quota at 507 tonnes for the next biennium as "a good example of the importance of scientific knowledge produced in the Azores and its interconnection with economic activity."
 
In his speech, the Regional Secretary said he will "continue" the measures provided for in the strategy document "Better fisheries, more income."In this regard, he stressed the focus on the training of fishers and agents in the sector with the aim of achieving "better practice in terms of safety, handling, processing and conservation of fish on board. "
 
Gui Menezes stressed the importance of the implementation of community-based local development measures. With an allocation of 4.7 million Euros from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, these measures provide for the establishment of Local Action Fishing Groups (GAL Fishing) made up of local agents, involving shipowners and fishers through their associations.
 
The implementation of this measure is intended to foster "a local development strategy" that takes into account the "specific circumstances" of each coastal community in the archipelago, thus "creating new sources of income for fishers, through new projects and complementary businesses in the fisheries sector."
 
Gui Menezes assured "the maintenance of the port network and fishing support equipment, while maintaining collaboration with fishing associations and local authorities in the management of these infrastructures." The government official also announced that Lotaçor will carry out the restructuring of support services for fishers.
 
Still in the Fisheries sector, the government official mentioned the strengthening of regional coordination of the Azores Sea surveillance with the Navy, the National Republican Guard and the Air Force, and the use technology "to improve the effectiveness of surveillance activities" and tackle market evasion.
 
The Secretary for the Sea assured that the Government of the Azores will continue its monitoring programmes for fisheries, oceanographic variables, marine protected areas and biodiversity. He considering them as "fundamental in supporting the decision and the definition of long-term management strategies as well as in fulfilling the Region's obligations under the national and European maritime policy. "
 
Alluding to the impact of climate change and natural hazards in the coastal areas of the archipelago, Gui Menezes said "the Government of the Azores will safeguard the safety of people and assets, focusing its action on several aspects concerning these areas."
 
In addition to the protection interventions in coastal areas identified as most vulnerable to erosion risk, the Regional Secretary announced that monitoring systems for coastal areas will be implemented, thus "contributing to the mitigation of impacts by real-time warning systems."
 
With regard to Science, the Regional Secretary assured that the Government will continue supporting research centre and science centres, also ensuring the maintenance of support to the tripartite structure of the University of the Azores.
 
Gui Menezes pointed Science and Technology Parks of São Miguel and Terceira and the future Azores Aquaculture Centre as "key points" to the transfer of knowledge and the creation of new dynamics in business innovation in the Region, emphasising the "extraordinary investment conditions” to attract and maintain businesses in the archipelago.
 
The Secretary for Science and Technology also mentioned that the Government of the Azores "is committed" to installing the Azores International Research Centre, considering that it will "completely change the relevance of the Azores and Portugal in the context of international research."
 
Gui Menezes said  the Government will "take advantage of synergies" to "foster the emergence of a spaceport in the Azores for the launch of microsatellites," adding that, in conjunction with the National Government, it will also promote the installation of the International Ocean Observatory on Faial.