New scheme on FUNDOPESCA to bring "more transparency, predictability and social justice," says Luís Neto Viveiros
The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources said today at the Legislative Assembly in Horta that the new scheme on the Azores Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund (FUNDOPESCA) aims to provide this tool with "increased transparency, predictability and social justice."
"After 10 years from the initial approval of the document, we intend to accomplish these goals through a better definition of the application of FUNDOPESCA, the amounts to be allocated, its regularity, the rights and duties of beneficiaries as well as the composition, functioning and powers of the respective administration board," said Luís Neto Viveiros. The government official spoke during the presentation of the proposal for the new legal scheme on the Azores Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund.
In order to achieve these goals, the Regional Secretary said "it is necessary to establish an autonomous scheme for the Azores Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund" that will be "completely independent from national legislation and that will also "allow the regulation of the funds to be allocated when there are certain conditions that prevent the exercise of fishing activities."
According to Luís Neto Viveiros, the new scheme on FUNDOPESCA provides "a better integration of its beneficiaries, comprising all fishers enrolled in the list of registered fishing vessels as well as licensed fishers for shore fishing and catchers who hold a valid license." Eligible beneficiaries cannot have other occupation than fishing.
With regard to the application conditions of this fund, Luís Neto Viveiros highlighted that the new scheme takes into consideration "the sea conditions that might put at risk the safety conditions of ports or at sea and, which hinders the normal exercise of fishing activities.
The Regional Secretary also noted that the new scheme, "in a fair response to fishers' expectations," will now allow fishers to benefit from FUNDOPESCA simultaneously with other aid schemes. In this case, "the support to be allocated will be adjusted to a maximum amount equal to 1.5 times the minimum wage for the period of time to which it relates."
In turn, the maximum application period will be extended from 30 to 60 days, which will enhance "the flexibility of FUNDOPESCA and the urgency in its activation."
Regarding the amends introduced, the Regional Secretary for Natural Resources also highlighted the change in the composition of the Administration Board of FUNDOPESCA and its powers, providing them with the "capacity to define the most suitable criteria and minimise the effects of the circumstances that may require the interruption of fishing activities"
Luís Neto Viveiros also considered that "wide representation" of fishing professionals at the Administration Board "will allow them to actively participate in this body," which may, at any time, "request reports from other entities, including the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores."
The creation of the Azores Fishers' Salary Compensation Fund dates back to 2002 and is intended to award a financial compensation to fishers when certain conditions prevent the normal exercise of fishing activities."