The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology announced in Rabo de Peixe the opening of applications to new support schemes for the processing and marketing of fishing and aquaculture products, co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) under the Operational Programme - MAR 2020.
 
Gui Menezes spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with local fishing associations, stressing that both mechanisms will receive public support amounting to 12.3 million Euros, of which 9.2 million Euros are granted under EMFF. This will "boost some projects that may be led by fishing associations to promote their products and enhance their added value."
 
The Regional Secretary for the Sea encouraged fishing associations to apply for support measures by submitting projects that may promote the quality of Azorean fishing products. This goal will be achieved through the organisation of promotional campaigns, the search for new markets, the improvement of marketing conditions or the contribution to the traceability of fishing products.
 
"The measure could be of great importance to the promotion of Azorean fishing products, thus contributing to the increase of fishers' income," said the government official. According to him, associations may benefit from a support rate ranging from 85% to 100%, according to the innovative nature of the projects submitted.
 
Applications for these support measures, which have a limit of 150 thousand Euros per project, may be submitted continuously until December 31, 2018, through forms available on the Portal of the Regional Government.
 
At the meeting with several local fishing associations held in Rabo de Peixe, Gui Menezes assured that the Regional Government "is sensitive to the problems the sector is facing." In this regard, he added that the Government "wants to continue to work together with fishers and their representatives to ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the fishing sector in the Region."
 
The Regional Secretary stressed several support measures for the sector, including the reopening of support granted under Ordinance 74/2008 support for the improvement of vessels; the application period runs until August 31. He also mentioned the convergence of traditional fishing diesel price with the coastal fishing diesel price or the POSEI support to production.
 
Gui Menezes defended the need for a climate of trust to avoid conflicts within the sector, calling for a more equitable distribution of income among vessel owners and fishers.
 
Regarding the activation of FUNDOPESCA announced Thursday, the Regional Secretary said he hoped to "mitigate the difficulties that some fishers are facing at this time due to the loss of income."
 
As for the directive regulating small pelagic fishery, including horse mackerel, mackerel and sardines, Gui Menezes said "will possible amendment will be under discussion."
 
"The law must be enforced," the government official said, adding that "the Government does not take an uncompromising position when it comes to change the law, if it is not working properly."