The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in Horta that the creation and management of protected marine areas is the Regional Government's primary goal for the fisheries sector, stressing that the first measure of Axis 1 of the strategic document "Better Fisheries, More Income" is precisely the creation of protected marine areas.
 
Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke at the signing of a protocol for scientific monitoring of restricted fishing areas around Faial and Pico Islands, following the publication of the ordinance of June 21 that established specific rules for fishing in the marine areas of these islands, particularly in the areas of Monte da Guia, Madalena islets and Baixa da Barca islets.
 
The protocol was signed by the Regional Directorates for Fisheries and for Sea Affairs, IMAR, the Association of Producers of Demersal Species of the Azores (APEDA) and the Traditional Fishing Shipowners' Association of Pico (AAPAP). It will provide annual reports on the evolution of marine resources in those areas, which will be shared with fishers' associations; the latter will be in charge of monitoring the entire process.
 
Brito e Abreu stressed that “during the public consultation process on this ordinance, APEDA recommended the scientific monitoring of the effect of these protected areas on fishing stocks and marine ecosystems."
 
The Regional Secretary defended that, "if these areas are well managed, we the entire sector stands to gain." According to him, "this is important for professional fishing, for recreational fishing, science and tourism, namely for maritime tourism operators."
 
"We will do everything so that the operation of these areas may bring actual benefits to the fisheries sector, which is still the most important sea-related economic activity of the archipelago," Brito e Abreu said, mentioning inspection activities and "awareness of people who use these areas."
 
In addition to the three new fishing restricted areas in the Pico-Faial canal, this year the Government also created three new areas on Graciosa - Baixa do Ferreiro, Praia Islet and Baixo Islet, and one on São Miguel - Ribeira Quente.
 
Overall, the Government created seven new restricted fishing areas in the Azores, thus increasing the area dedicated to the preservation of fishing resources in the Region by 7,512 hectares.
 
The creation of these new areas was the result of a process of active participation that involved two regional administration services, including the Regional Directorates for Fisheries and for Sea Affair, researchers at the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores and associations representing the fisheries sector on the respective areas.