Regional Fisheries Council reinforced "consultation, dialogue and cooperation" in the sector, stresses Mário Rui Pinho - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Council for Fisheries and Aquaculture (CRPA), chaired by the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Mário Rui Pinho, Last Friday, December 12. 

This is an advisory body whose purpose is to ensure dialogue and cooperation with regional entities and organisations operating in the areas of fisheries, aquaculture, marketing, industry and related activities.

“In a moment of consultation, dialogue and cooperation, the criteria and guidelines for managing the sector for 2026 were defined, promoting the participation of council members in defining the strategy to be followed for the fisheries sector. It is based on the principles of responsibility and sustainability in this important activity in the Autonomous Region of the Azores,” emphasised Mário Rui Pinho.

At the meeting, attended by more than twenty representatives from the sector and individuals of acknowledged scientific merit, regional fishing quotas for ICES and ICCAT species were discussed, along with the strategy for improving the training of fishing professionals in 2026. In addition, the event included the presentation of the framework for implementing financial support under MAR2030, a funding programme through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for Portugal. With a total of 2,554 applications to date, several investments totalling more than €38.8 million have already been approved.

Regarding the species of greatest regional importance, red seabream, and given that stocks are showing signs of recovery, a 12% increase in the quota is expected for 2027, which will be partially transposed to 2026 due to the 3% cut, using the interannual flexibility mechanism. As such, a quota of about 11 tonnes is planned for Corvo, 26.7 tonnes for Flores, 40.1 tonnes for Faial, 26.7 tonnes for Pico, 21 tonnes for São Jorge, 47.7 tonnes for Graciosa, 87.8 tonnes for Terceira, 114.6 tonnes for São Miguel and 6.1 tonnes for Santa Maria, totalling regional catches of 382 tonnes.

For tuna species, the TAC for bluefin tuna is expected to increase to 48,403 tonnes, representing an increase of about 108 tonnes for Portugal, with an impact on the quota allocated to the Azores. There will also be increases in regional quotas for forkbeard and grouper, specifically 240 and 50 tonnes, respectively. Grouper fishing will reopen in 2026, with health surveillance remaining in place.