The Regional Legislative Decree 22/2011/A regulating aquaculture activities in the Region has just been published in the Official Gazette.
The new legislation aims to ensure the sustainable farming of aquatic species whose production is adequate to the specificities of the fauna and flora resources of the land and maritime territories of the Azores.
In accordance with the preamble of the document, “from the unfounded certainty, in the past decades, that the fishing resources would not be depleted, it has been realised in the present moment that despite being renewable, the resources may dramatically decrease if subject to intensive exploitation and, in this context, aquaculture may provide a response to the growing consumption demand for fish species.”
The new regulations also intend to promote a complement to fishing activities, with sea products typical from the Azores sea, “in order to enhance and diversify a sustainable maritime economy that brings more wealth to the Region.”
According to the recently approved legislation, the aquaculture sector may contribute to the creation of new market niches for aquaculture products, “providing opportunities for social development and employment while boosting regional productivity without increasing the pressure on the exploitation of fishing resources.”
However, the biological characteristics of the Azores sea require the implementation of method that takes into account its specificities, both in the installation and operation of aquaculture production units in the Region.
It is also understood that the strategy for the sustainable development of aquaculture should be based on an activity that offers quality products in limited quantities and without jeopardising the environment.
In this context, the regulations stipulate the procedures regarding the installation, operation and transfer of aquaculture establishments, both in the land and maritime territories of the Azores, in order to create the conditions for the sustainable development of saltwater, brackish or freshwater species, taking into account the natural conditions of the Region.