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Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Regional Government represented at annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Regional Government represented at annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Investing in the sea and fisheries is "lever" for truly sustainable economy, stresses Manuel São João
Investing in the sea and fisheries is "lever" for truly sustainable economy, stresses Manuel São João
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Intervenção do Secretário Regional do Mar e das Pescas
Intervenção do Secretário Regional do Mar e das Pescas
November 29, 2023
Regional Government represented at annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
November 22, 2023
Investing in the sea and fisheries is "lever" for truly sustainable economy, stresses Manuel São João
November 22, 2023
Intervenção do Secretário Regional do Mar e das Pescas
News
Nota de Imprensa
November 29, 2023
Regional Government represented at annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
The 28th annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) was held in Cairo (Egypt) from November 13 to 20, 2023. Its primary goal was to determine management measures for the world's tuna and similar fisheries in the Atlantic and adjacent seas. This meeting was attended by about 600 delegates from 52 Contracting Parties (CPs), 5 Cooperating Parties (Bolivia, Chinese Taipei, Suriname, Guyana and Costa Rica) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The European Union (EU) was represented by a delegation that included representatives from the administrations of different Member States (MS), the productive sector and NGOs, with observer status. The Government of the Azores, represented by the Regional Directorate for Fisheries (DRP), accompanied the Portuguese delegation from the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM). The Government of the Azores has followed the discussions and consensus reached at EU level on the management of fisheries under ICCAT management with great expectations, particularly for Bigeye (Thunnus obesus), Bluefin (Thunnus thynnus), Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and Bonito (Katsuwonus pelamis) species, given their importance to the social and economic balance of Azorean coastal communities, as well as North Atlantic Swordfish (Xiphias gladius). It should be noted that the consensus reached does not alter the measures in force for the species of interest for 2024, with the exception of North Atlantic albacore tuna, which saw an increase of 25% in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2023, increasing the EU quota to 47,251 tonnes and, consequently, the Portuguese quota to 35,815.87 tonnes. As for the other species, such as bluefin tuna, the TAC now established for four years has set an EU quota of 21,503 tonnes, which will be divided between the different member states. In this case, Portugal will be allocated an initial quota of 637.88 tonnes that will be adjusted and deducted in the event of overfishing. The national Bluefin tuna quota will subsequently be allocated to tuna traps located on the south coast of Mainland Portugal for bycatch and for traditional pole-and-line fisheries in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira. As for bigeye tuna, the TAC for 2024 has been set at 62,000 tonnes, corresponding to an initial EU quota of 13,421.31 tonnes, which will be distributed among member states after adjustments. The Government of the Azores expects the national quota will remain at 2,823.84 tonnes, with 85% allocated to the autonomous regions. At the annual meeting, it was also decided that the Bonito tuna, which still has no TAC established, will undergo a scientific stock assessment. The TAC for North Atlantic swordfish was set at 13,200 tonnes for 2024, with the EU having an initial quota of 6,677.3 tonnes.
November 29, 2023
Regional Government represented at annual meeting of International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
The 28th annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) was held in Cairo (Egypt) from November 13 to 20, 2023. Its primary goal was to determine management measures for the world's tuna and similar fisheries in the Atlantic and adjacent seas. This meeting was attended by about 600 delegates from 52 Contracting Parties (CPs), 5 Cooperating Parties (Bolivia, Chinese Taipei, Suriname, Guyana and Costa Rica) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The European Union (EU) was represented by a delegation that included representatives from the administrations of different Member States (MS), the productive sector and NGOs, with observer status. The Government of the Azores, represented by the Regional Directorate for Fisheries (DRP), accompanied the Portuguese delegation from the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM). The Government of the Azores has followed the discussions and consensus reached at EU level on the management of fisheries under ICCAT management with great expectations, particularly for Bigeye (Thunnus obesus), Bluefin (Thunnus thynnus), Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and Bonito (Katsuwonus pelamis) species, given their importance to the social and economic balance of Azorean coastal communities, as well as North Atlantic Swordfish (Xiphias gladius). It should be noted that the consensus reached does not alter the measures in force for the species of interest for 2024, with the exception of North Atlantic albacore tuna, which saw an increase of 25% in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2023, increasing the EU quota to 47,251 tonnes and, consequently, the Portuguese quota to 35,815.87 tonnes. As for the other species, such as bluefin tuna, the TAC now established for four years has set an EU quota of 21,503 tonnes, which will be divided between the different member states. In this case, Portugal will be allocated an initial quota of 637.88 tonnes that will be adjusted and deducted in the event of overfishing. The national Bluefin tuna quota will subsequently be allocated to tuna traps located on the south coast of Mainland Portugal for bycatch and for traditional pole-and-line fisheries in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira. As for bigeye tuna, the TAC for 2024 has been set at 62,000 tonnes, corresponding to an initial EU quota of 13,421.31 tonnes, which will be distributed among member states after adjustments. The Government of the Azores expects the national quota will remain at 2,823.84 tonnes, with 85% allocated to the autonomous regions. At the annual meeting, it was also decided that the Bonito tuna, which still has no TAC established, will undergo a scientific stock assessment. The TAC for North Atlantic swordfish was set at 13,200 tonnes for 2024, with the EU having an initial quota of 6,677.3 tonnes.
Nota de Imprensa
November 22, 2023
Investing in the sea and fisheries is "lever" for truly sustainable economy, stresses Manuel São João
The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Manuel São João, listed today the priorities of his department for 2024, emphasising the need to promote a truly sustainable economy. "The Economy of the Sea Programme for 2024 corresponds to a public investment of more than 43 million Euros, an increase of more than 27% compared to this year. As the guidelines of the Annual Plan for next year point out, the aim is to develop and invest in the resources of the sea as a lever for creating a sustainable, differentiating and value-creating economy. This is the goal that we have set ourselves and that we want to pursue," he said. Manuel São João spoke at the Regional Legislative Assembly on the third day of the discussion on the Regional Government's proposals for the 2024 Plan and Budget. The Regional Secretary emphasised the role of the Azores Sea Cluster, which will have a budget of more than 25 million Euros under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). "With regard to the oceanographic vessel, the construction work is progressing well and the keel was recently laid, while the procedures for its outfitting are underway. As for the Martec Technopole, we received approval from the Court of Auditors at the end of last week. The next step will be the signing of the consignment agreement, which is expected to take place soon. Also with regard to the RRP, with a view to adjusting the fleet to the existing resources, we will allocate 2.3 million Euros for this purpose in 2024, out of a total of five million Euros," he continued. The Government of the Azores also considers that amending the Compensation Scheme for the owners of local fishing vessels exclusively powered by petrol outboard engines in 2024 is "fundamental and a priority," so as to increase the financial support from 30 to 50 cents per litre. "For some people in this house, it may not seem like much, but for the beneficiaries, it represents significant support, given that this amount has not been updated since 2008. It has been 15 years. Not 15 days, nor 15 months, but 15 years," he explained. Following the end of the Advisory Committee's work and the submission of the respective documents to the National Government, the next step will be the submission of National Maritime Spatial Planning Situation Plan for the Azores Subdivision (PSOEM-Azores) to public consultation, he added. He continued: "With regard to the Network of Marine Protected Areas of the Azores, the goal of defining these areas, which will protect 30% of the Azores Sea, half of which will be completely off-limits to any extraction activity, is a work in progress." Manuel São João also spoke about the current state of the canning industry, pointing out that today "the island of Pico has a factory in operation with an overall investment of up to 16 million Euros and, at the very least, more than 100 jobs, the same ones that were at risk three years ago." "In São Jorge, the Santa Catarina cannery is under private management and represents an overall investment of more than six million Euros until its full modernisation, securing 150 jobs. This is sustainability," he said. As for the Maritime School, it "continues to grow" when "it was severely neglected" by previous administrations. "I end as I began, recalling the presentation of this Programme of Government for this term. We need common sense, co-responsibility and, above all, justice. It is on this basis that you can count on this Government," stated Manuel São João.
November 22, 2023
Investing in the sea and fisheries is "lever" for truly sustainable economy, stresses Manuel São João
The Regional Secretary for the Sea and Fisheries, Manuel São João, listed today the priorities of his department for 2024, emphasising the need to promote a truly sustainable economy. "The Economy of the Sea Programme for 2024 corresponds to a public investment of more than 43 million Euros, an increase of more than 27% compared to this year. As the guidelines of the Annual Plan for next year point out, the aim is to develop and invest in the resources of the sea as a lever for creating a sustainable, differentiating and value-creating economy. This is the goal that we have set ourselves and that we want to pursue," he said. Manuel São João spoke at the Regional Legislative Assembly on the third day of the discussion on the Regional Government's proposals for the 2024 Plan and Budget. The Regional Secretary emphasised the role of the Azores Sea Cluster, which will have a budget of more than 25 million Euros under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). "With regard to the oceanographic vessel, the construction work is progressing well and the keel was recently laid, while the procedures for its outfitting are underway. As for the Martec Technopole, we received approval from the Court of Auditors at the end of last week. The next step will be the signing of the consignment agreement, which is expected to take place soon. Also with regard to the RRP, with a view to adjusting the fleet to the existing resources, we will allocate 2.3 million Euros for this purpose in 2024, out of a total of five million Euros," he continued. The Government of the Azores also considers that amending the Compensation Scheme for the owners of local fishing vessels exclusively powered by petrol outboard engines in 2024 is "fundamental and a priority," so as to increase the financial support from 30 to 50 cents per litre. "For some people in this house, it may not seem like much, but for the beneficiaries, it represents significant support, given that this amount has not been updated since 2008. It has been 15 years. Not 15 days, nor 15 months, but 15 years," he explained. Following the end of the Advisory Committee's work and the submission of the respective documents to the National Government, the next step will be the submission of National Maritime Spatial Planning Situation Plan for the Azores Subdivision (PSOEM-Azores) to public consultation, he added. He continued: "With regard to the Network of Marine Protected Areas of the Azores, the goal of defining these areas, which will protect 30% of the Azores Sea, half of which will be completely off-limits to any extraction activity, is a work in progress." Manuel São João also spoke about the current state of the canning industry, pointing out that today "the island of Pico has a factory in operation with an overall investment of up to 16 million Euros and, at the very least, more than 100 jobs, the same ones that were at risk three years ago." "In São Jorge, the Santa Catarina cannery is under private management and represents an overall investment of more than six million Euros until its full modernisation, securing 150 jobs. This is sustainability," he said. As for the Maritime School, it "continues to grow" when "it was severely neglected" by previous administrations. "I end as I began, recalling the presentation of this Programme of Government for this term. We need common sense, co-responsibility and, above all, justice. It is on this basis that you can count on this Government," stated Manuel São João.
