Mário Rui Pinho recalls Regional Government's "substantial investments" in blue economy - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, recalled today the sector's priorities for the present and future, recognising the "substantial investments" that will be fundamental for the sea economy.

"There is a new emerging economy that the Socialist Party despises, without promoting its development," he emphasised, alluding to matters such as the MARTEC Technopole or the Region's future research vessel.

The Regional Secretary spoke in Horta during a debate on the sea and fisheries sector at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Dismissing the "romantic idea" of some that the regional budget is "enough for everything," Mário Rui Pinho noted that he was working on the sector's "medium and long-term goals" and was not stuck in the present, unlike some of the opposition.

"We have a different way of working, a participatory way, something you have never done," he said, specifically addressing the Socialist bench, which promoted the debate.

Mário Rui Pinho also pointed out that fishing as an economic activity involves various fields, including "management, science, control and inspection, exploitation, commercialisation, processing and services," ensuring that shipowners receive the necessary support from the Government.

Praising the work carried out on the new marine protected areas network, he also defended that the development of the sea and fisheries sector involves strengthening "relations with the National Government and the European Union."