The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated on Santa Maria that supervision and video surveillance are "essential" to the extent they are "two exclusive powers assigned to the Region in the Azores Sea," namely the conservation of nature and marine biodiversity and fisheries management.
 
Fausto Brito e Abreu spoke during a visit to Maia Lighthouse, where the first high-definition video surveillance camera was installed in order to improve the control and supervision of coastal areas restrictions on fishing around the island of Santa Maria, including Baixa da Maia and Baixa da Pedrinha.
 
The Regional Secretary for the Sea added that, initially, there will be video surveillance system consisting of five cameras, which will be extended to Formigas and Lagoa de Santo Cristo Islets. This project represents an overall investment of about 50 thousand Euros.
 
Brito e Abreu pointed out that these cameras will be operated by the Regional Inspectorate of Fisheries (IRP); the latter will use the images collected and recorded to detect eventual offences.
 
"Through images, it will be possible to easily identify potential offenders and manage operations on the ground to be carried out by the Maritime Police or the Navy Police," the government official stressed, adding that, if necessary, these images will be used to move forward with administrative offence proceedings.
 
The Regional Secretary for the Sea said there are plans to extend the use of this tool to other coastal areas, namely the newly created areas with restrictions on fishing located in Faial/Pico canal, on Graciosa Island and in Ribeira Quente, São Miguel Island.
 
The use of these technological tools aims to render inspections more effective and increase the geographic scope of the areas where IRP is more active, even remotely, with the reception of images collected by fixed or aerial video surveillance.
 
The official also said all entities overseeing supervision matters will have access to the images collected in a "true shared information system."
 
The installation of video surveillance cameras is a joint project of the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs and the Regional Inspection of Fisheries.