Regional Government launches campaign to promote Azores fish
Horta
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, is running a campaign to promote fish from the Autonomous Region of the Azores, designated as "Fish, we know how to handle," with the aim of promoting the Azores fish, as announced by the President of the Regional Government during his visit to the Rabo de Peixe fishing port last year.
The promotion of the Azores fish, especially with regard to traditionally under-valued species, is a strategic priority for the promotion of fishery products, as it avoids the concentration of fishing effort on more valued species and boosts the income of the entire sector.
Aware of the responsibility of the main players in the entire production chain and the need to enhance the quality of fishery products, the Regional Government is committed to training all the professionals involved in the sector at various levels.
Under this campaign, there was a training course on "Fresh Fish - Conservation and Display," aimed at professionals involved in the processing and conservation of fish in fishmongers' shops, which "initially covered the island of São Miguel." The training was conducted by instructors from the Azores Tourism School, through the FORM.AÇORES Qualification Project, in partnership with the Association for the Economic Development of the Azores, and will also be extended to the islands of Terceira and Faial," added Manuel São João, Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries.
As part of the programme for the 4th edition of Showmar and the "Fish in the Azores" event, the Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries presided over the delivery of certificates to the twenty professionals who completed the training course. The ceremony was followed by a tasting session to promote a species of lesser commercial value, mackerel, featuring Chef António Cavaco.
In addition to the training programme, which will include further training sessions on other topics in partnership with various organisations, this campaign also includes awareness-raising activities, debates, tastings and the creation of a website with a view to increasing literacy about fish from the Azorean fishing industry.
