Temporary ban on catching and selling dusky grouper - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Government, namely the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, has been monitoring the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) population in its natural habitat after observing individuals with changes in behaviour and macroscopic changes in their morphology (spots, flaking and abdominal distension).

The sightings took place in the first week of September and have a particular incidence off the islands of Flores and Corvo, recently extending to central group islands.

The Regional Secretariat urges the Azorean community, especially users of the marine sector, to collaborate in the collection of information on this phenomenon by reporting incidents involving fish in these circumstances.

Accordingly, a form has been provided online to register these observations, including the geographical position:https://e-form.azores.gov.pt/formulario/447.

Simultaneously, a multidisciplinary working group will be set up, coordinated by the Regional Directorate for Fisheries, comprising various experts and local entities with different responsibilities. It will be responsible for analysing and critically debating this phenomenon to make the best decision to support the management of this emblematic resource of the Azores Sea.

Considering that the dusky grouper fishery will reopen on October 1, (it has been closed since August 8), it is justified, for reasons of public interest, to adopt several precautionary management measures for this resource. The Regional Government has decided to temporarily ban the catching, retention on board, transfer, unloading and sale of the dusky grouper species.

The ban has already been published in the Official Journal.