Regional Government extends exemption from fees charged by Lotaçor until September
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology announced in Horta that the Regional Government has decided to extend the exemption from fees charged by Lotaçor to producers, fish buyers and canneries for another three months, a support measure for the sector that may amount to 1.2 million Euros.
Through an ordinance published today in the Official Journal, the Regional Secretariat for the Sea, Science and Technology determines the extension of the period of suspension of auction and ice supply fees as well as those on the freezing and conservation of fish.
In the context of the various measures adopted to minimise the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fishing activity, the Regional Government, through an ordinance published on March 20, suspended the fees charged by Lotaçor to producers, fish buyers and canneries throughout the archipelago for a period of 90 days.
“From the first hour, the Regional Government has been closely following the evolution of the sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Gui Menezes said, adding that “there was a decrease in the average price of fish and in the overall value of fish unloaded."
In this regard, he considered that the exemption from fees charged by Lotaçor is “a measure that comprises the entire sector and has been widely welcomed."
Since its implementation and until June 16, this support has amounted to around 600 thousand Euros, and its extension for another three months "should represent another 600 thousand Euros," said Gui Menezes.
According to the Regional Secretary, the extension of the exemption from fees charged by Lotaçor “brings very significant benefits to the tuna harvest and to the regional canning industry."
“With this additional effort from the Regional Government and the negotiation efforts among associations, also supported by the Government, it was possible to guarantee that the price of skipjack tuna in the first sale will not be below 1.20 Euros/Kg, although there is a worrying decrease in its value in international markets," stressed the government official.
Asked about the extension of the tax exemption not being maintained until the end of the year, Gui Menezes noted that "the situation of the sector has been evolving favourably and that the intention of the Government is to adapt the measures in accordance with each moment."
"Until September, this measure will cover the tuna harvest in the summer and, accordingly, it is also will support the canning industry, which uses the warehouses to store and freeze fish," said the Regional Secretary.
The government official pointed out that this measure is "perfectly adapted and proportional to the reality of the sector, which has been evolving favourably."
In the Azores, 266 fish buyers and 495 shipowners are exempt from auction fees. In turn, 23 beneficiaries are exempt from cold store fees and 331 beneficiaries are exempt from ice supply fees.
The order published today enters into force on Friday, June 19.