Regional Government convenes FUNDOPESCA Board - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

Following the bad weather that has hit the archipelago in recent weeks and considering that the weather conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days, the Regional Government has decided to convene, under the terms of the Regional Legislative Decree no. 19/2013/A of October 17, in its current wording, the Administration Board of the Azores Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund (FUNDOPESCA) for next Monday, February 9, at 2:30 p.m.

This meeting will serve to analyse the evolution of fish unloadings in the auctions of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as well as the grounds and scope of applicability, in the event of a decision to activate FUNDOPESCA, with a view to paying a salary compensation to the fishing professionals covered by this fund.

Since November 2025, the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through the Regional Directorate for Fisheries, has been monitoring fish unloading in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and, in parallel, has been verifying the grounds for the possible activation of FUNDOPESCA, according to the provisions of Article 5(1) of Regional Legislative Decree no. 38/2023/A of October 24, which introduced the second amendment to the Regional Legislative Decree no. 19/2013/A of October 17.

In addition to an Administration Board, comprising various organisations from the fisheries sector, FUNDOPESCA has a set of rules defined for its activation and does not depend on its own volition or requests from politicians. Therefore, considering the defined criteria and continuous monitoring, whenever deemed necessary, the members of the board will be called upon to deliberate.

The protection and safety of professionals in the fisheries sector is paramount for the Regional Government, and it is our mission to stand by vessel owners and fishers when weather conditions do not allow them to carry out their valuable work.