Vasco Cordeiro opens new Fisheries Port that represents an "investment in the future" of Rabo de Peixe
Last Sunday, the President of the Government opened the new Rabo de Peixe port, where he ensured the Government's commitment to invest in support infrastructures for the regional fisheries sector as well as in the training of fishers and the increase of their income.
"The Fisheries sector faces these three challenges, to which the Regional Government pays special attention and is working to overcome them," assured Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at the opening of the works for the expansion and improvement of the safety conditions of this port, which represented an investment of 16 million Euros.
Vasco Cordeiro mentioned the investments already completed or nearing completion, such as the improvement of the safety conditions of São Roque do Pico fisheries ports or the completion of the improvement works of Porto Judeu Port. In this context, he announced the Government's intention to move forward with a series of interventions to improve the conditions provided to fishing communities.
"This is the case of the works to improve the conditions of Poças Port in Santa Cruz das Flores, reinforce the safety conditions of Manhenha Port and enhance the operating and safety conditions of Ribeira Quente Port," pointed out Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government also mentioned the planned interventions in the cold storage network, which includes the installation of cold storage facilities at the ports of Praia da Vitória, São Mateus, Madalena and Horta.
As for fish markets, there are scheduled interventions for 2015, including the interventions in Vila do Porto and Madalena, in addition to the conclusion of the Refrigerator Facilities in Ponta Delgada, announced the President of the Government.
With regard to the training of fishers, Vasco Cordeiro defended the need the raise awareness for the importance of this area in the future of the Fisheries sector in the Azores.
"In addition to the measures implemented by the Government, it is essential that all professionals in this sector become aware that, with enhanced skills, the chances to boost their income and improve their future and that of their families are higher," said the President of the Government.
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro also considered that third challenge concerns the quality and the economic return of fishing activities, which, in turn, concerns all professionals in this sector.
"With its incentive scheme, the Government is on the side of fishers to help them overcoming this challenge; however, we must be aware of the need to take particular care regarding all other aspects that may influence the quality of fish and, subsequently, the income of fishers," said the President of the Government.
In this regard, Vasco Cordeiro assured that the Government of the Azores "will continue fulfilling its role," through the development of policies to improve the competitiveness of the sector, starting in first sale of fish.
"At the same time, and in conjunction with our partners, we intend to conduct a research at an international level to find new markets for fish caught in the Azores," announced Vasco Cordeiro.
Moreover, the President of the Government stressed that the main goal of this investment in Rabo de Peixe Port was not just the construction of this work; it also aimed to provide Rabo de Peixe fishers with better conditions.
"The success of this intervention is closely linked to the ability of Rabo de Peixe fishers, as I believe they will demonstrate in the future, to transform these infrastructures into a tool that will help them increasing their income and that of their families," said the President of the Government.
The new port includes two breakwaters, a new shelter wet area with an extension over three hectares, an embankment area of about 19,000 m2, three jetties with an extension of 90 metres, each, and mooring berth over 660 metres.
"The Government of the Azores wants to go further in this effort to provide this port, as well as others in the archipelago, with increasingly better conditions for the exercise of fishing activities. For that reason, next year we will launch a public call for tenders for the construction of over 30 houses for fishing gear at the Rabo de Peixe port, representing an investment of about 400 thousand Euros," announced Vasco Cordeiro.
According to the President of the Government, this 16-million Euro investment will project the potential of this port far beyond the Fisheries sector, since it also provides a specific area for the repair and maintenance of vessels as well as parking areas for recreational vessels and an area for maritime tourism activities.
"This investment is not just a work to improve the fishing conditions of the Fisheries sector, but also a work that will open new horizons, new potentialities for activities related to recreational nautical activities and maritime tourism," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.