Yesterday, PS/Azores deputy Mário Tomé argued that the Regional Government of the Azores, led by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM, with the support of CHEGA, should consider “chartering a ship for the storage and freezing of fish, to serve as a floating warehouse in Azorean ports until the situation on land returns to normal.” A solution that, according to the socialist, “should be coordinated with the canning industry and fishermen’s representative bodies, ensuring that it responds effectively to the sector’s needs.”

At issue is the near-collapse of the cold storage warehouses in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, which, according to the socialist parliamentarian, “is limiting tuna landings and jeopardizing fishermen’s incomes.” Following a request submitted to the Azorean parliament, the socialists state that “it is unacceptable that, in the middle of the tuna season, the Regional Government of the Azores continues to fail to present any solution to address the lack of freezing capacity,” accusing the Azorean executive of “merely managing landings and restricting fishing activity.”

Mário Tomé therefore demands that the Regional Government consider chartering a ship to address the difficulties faced by Azorean fishermen, serving as a floating warehouse on several islands. “This is a solution that should not be overlooked, since ships of this nature operate in various international markets, have already operated in the Azores, and can be chartered temporarily,” explained the socialist.

The PS/Azores Parliamentary Group is monitoring with great concern the “very difficult” situation facing the fishing sector in the Azores, particularly tuna fishing, due to the enormous difficulties that the lack of response from the Regional Government is imposing on fishermen.

In Diário dos Açores-Paulo Viveiros, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.