The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Natural Resources, has adopted, after hearing representative industry associations, the new rules establishing the legal scheme on the catch of marine species in the Azores Sea, published in the Official Journal on Friday.
The ordinance regulates the catches by diving, catches for scientific purposes, the collection of specimens for aquaculture establishments and aquariums, recreational catches and catches for commercial purposes.
The new legal scheme, which was welcomed by the associations representing the fisheries sector and the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores, aims to regulate the different types of catch in the archipelago.
Accordingly, the legislation stipulates the criteria to be observed in the issuing of permits and defines the areas in the archipelago where the catching of algae, molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans species is allowed.
The catcher cards, licenses and permits issued to date shall remain in force until December 31, 2014.