Four marine areas on Santa Maria with specific access rules until the end of 2014
An ordinance issued by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, published in the Official Journal today, establishes temporary access rules for fishing activities on the Vila islet, baixa do Ambrósio, baixa da Maia and baixa da Pedrinha on the island of Santa Maria.
With this decision, the Government intends to temporarily provide to these marine areas for maritime activities related to the observation of fisheries resources.
The new regulation, which will be in force run from June 15 until December 31, 2014, prohibits fishing activities in these maritime areas, except pole-and-line fishing, seine fishing and live bait catching.
It also determines that no vessel can enter those areas with fishing gear, on board or at sea, except for pole-and-line fishing, seine fishing and live bait catching.
This governmental ordinance, whose publication followed previous hearings with representatives of the fishing sector, will be applied to commercial and recreational fishing, including tourism fishing.
Under the terms of the legislation in force, the compliance with the regulations will be supervised by the Regional Inspectorate of Fisheries, the maritime authority and other competent authorities.