The Regional Legislative Decree regulating the first sale of fresh fish in the Azores was published today in the Official Gazette.
 
Proposed by the Government of the Azores, the legislation adapts the national legal framework to the reality of the archipelago, making use the Region's powers on fisheries.
 
The regulation on the payment in fish, with an ordinance stipulating the respective limits and rules, the possibility of creating rules for the labelling of fresh fish by ordinance or the establishment of penalties for its misuse are some of changes approved under this document. It also provides fishers with the possibility of regulating the first sale of fish to final consumers, a measure already in force throughout the EU, and the creation of a specific infringement scheme.
 
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stressed "the importance of fresh fish labelling in the Azores, especially for species of higher commercial value." This will "distinguish Azorean fish for the use of sustainable practices through which it is caught, acknowledging its value and contributing to the increase in fishers' income."
 
According to Fausto Brito Abreu, the labelling of fish is "a powerful tool to counter the marke evasion and ensure increased traceability and control."
 
With regard to the infringement scheme, Brito e Abreu pointed out that the Azores have established "the minimum fine in an amount well below the national standard," lowering the infraction for individuals from 500 to 125 Euros."
 
For the Regional Secretary for the Sea, this regional legislative decree "lays the foundation for a paradigm shift" in the fisheries sector in the Azores since "it promotes the involvement of fishers in the distribution chain and generates more revenue in the first sale."
 
Brito e Abreu also recalled that this legislation implements three of the eight measures planned under Axis 2 "Measures to increase the price of first sale in auction" of the Regional Government's strategic document for the fisheries sector titled "Better Fisheries, More Income": "Finding alternatives for the first sale," "Developing fish labelling" and "Regulating the first sale."