Faial and Pico pay tribute to Azorean contribution to tuna fishing in California - Communication

Direção Regional das Comunidades

The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities and the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries are supporting the organisation of two public sessions to pay "A Tribute to the Portuguese Contribution to Tuna Fishing in the Eastern Pacific" to take palce on the islands of Faial and Pico on September 7 and 8.

The project aims to highlight the Portuguese contribution – in particular that of Azorean fishers – to the development of tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean by raising awareness of this important historical legacy and strengthening the links between the Azores, the Azorean diaspora and the international scientific community.

As part of a wider project to promote Portuguese maritime history, the work was presented on September 1 in Lisbon as a side event to the 104th Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), before travelling to the Azores, Madeira and San Diego, California, in the United States of America.

In the Azores, the programme includes two public sessions, organised in partnership with the University of the Azores and with the support of the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities and the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries. The events will focus on Azorean participation in tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific, from both scientific and historical perspectives.

The first session, covering scientific topics, will take place on Monday, September 7, at 6 p.m. at the Auditorium of the João José da Graça Public Library and Regional Archive in the city of Horta, Faial Island.

The event will be attended by Andreia Braga Henriques, Regional Director for Fisheries, on behalf of the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries; Alexandre Aires-da-Silva, Scientific Research Coordinator at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in La Jolla, California; Idalmiro da Rosa, Honorary Consul of Portugal in San Diego, California; and Ricardo da Rosa, owner of the vessel Pacific Princess (tuna purse seiner) and Vice-President of United Portuguese SES, Inc.

Also taking part in this first session are Miguel Machete, Coordinator of the Azores Fisheries Observation Programme; Ana Martins, researcher and lecturer in Oceanography at the University of the Azores; and Gui Menezes, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences Research – OKEANOS.

The session will end with a photographic presentation by the Regional Directorate for Fisheries and will also feature representatives from the Azores Fisheries Federation (FPA) and the Association of Tuna and Similar Producers of the Azores (APASA).

The second session, which will focus on history, will take place on Tuesday, September 8, at 6 p.m. at the auditorium of the Whalers’ Museum in Lajes do Pico.

Those present will include José Andrade, Regional Director for the Communities, on behalf of the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities; Manuel Costa, director of the Pico Museum and chair of the Regional Whaling Heritage Advisory Committee; and Rúben Alves, an entrepreneur involved in the tuna fishing industry, as well as Alexandre Aires-da-Silva, Idalmiro da Rosa and Ricardo da Rosa.

In addition to the presentations and contributions from participants, both sessions will include opportunities for discussion with the audience, involving researchers, institutional representatives, emigrant communities and fisheries experts.

With free admission, these two sessions will provide an opportunity to celebrate the Azorean maritime heritage and preserve the memory of the fishing communities that contributed to the history of tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific.

The project is being coordinated by Idalmiro da Rosa, Honorary Consul of Portugal in San Diego; Alexandre Aires-da-Silva, Scientific Research Coordinator at the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in La Jolla, California; and Kenny Alameda, President of Clipper Oil Marine Fuels in San Diego, California.