The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology informed that the new regulations on the first sale of fish, proposed by the Government of the Azores, were approved today at the Legislative Assembly. It aims to "pave the way for a paradigm shift" in the fisheries sector, as it will allow "the involvement of fishers in the distribution chain and boost profits in the first sale of fish."
 
Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke at the Legislative Assembly in Horta, during the debate on the new scheme regulating the First Sale of Fish in the Azores. He defended that this law "adapts the national legal framework to the reality of our islands, enhancing the powers of the Autonomous Region in the area of fisheries."
 
In his speech, the Regional Secretary for the Sea pointed out the "four major changes" that the new law "brings to the 'status quo' of the Region": the regulation of payments in fish and the respective limits and rules; the stipulation of rules for the labelling of fresh fish and penalties for its misuse; the regulation of direct sale by fishers to consumers, "which is now possible across Europe; and the establishment of a specific infringement scheme.
 
With regard to the infringement scheme, Brito e Abreu stressed that that the aim is to establish "a minimum of amount of fine below the national average," adding that the proposal will "reduce the minimum amount of fine from 500 to 125 Euros."
 
As for the "innovative aspects" of the new law, the Regional Secretary for the Sea stressed the labelling of fresh fish in the Azores, "particularly for species of high commercial value." He defended that, "in addition to ensuring the traceability and control of fish, this measure will allow us to differentiate our fish by the sustainable practices through which it is caught, thus contributing to its promotion and the increase of fishers' income."
 
The Regional Secretary also noted that the labelling of fish is "a powerful tool to counter market evasion" insofar as it associates different information to the labels, namely the characteristics of the species, place of origin, status of fish stocks, fishing gear used or suggestions for preparation. According to him, "the information provided contributes to the promotion of fish."
 
Moreover, Brito e Abreu reminded the Government's strategic document for the fisheries sector, designated as "Better Fisheries, More Income," whose Axis 2 presents "Measures to increase the first sale price at fish markets". The "the approval of this law will help implementing three of the eight measures in this axis, namely "Finding alternatives to the first sale," "Developing fish labelling" and "Regulating the first sale."