Regional Government supported installation of innovative project for export of king crab and brown crab legs from Pico to high-value markets
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated in São Roque do Pico that "it is important to acknowledge innovative projects with good sustainability practices" in the area of fisheries.
Gui Menezes spoke on the sidelines of a visit to "Pico Crab Company." It is the only regional company dedicated to the export king crab, caught some at 800 metres deep, and to sell brown crab legs.
On the last day of the statutory visit to Pico, the Regional Secretary emphasised that this project is co-financed by the Regional Government and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) under the aid to the processing of fishery and aquaculture products. According to him, it "has adopted interesting sustainability practices."
"As in any other fishery, it is necessary to take care of sustainability," Gui Menezes said, adding that the Regional Government is already in possession of scientific data legislate the maximum sustainable catches of both species "in case there are other shipowners in catching these species on other islands."
"This fishery can be further developed, generating more income to the Azorean fishers," stated the government official.
With an investment value of 21 thousand Euros, this project, included the adaptation of a warehouse to processing plant as well as the acquisition of equipment.
"These are high-quality and high value-added products," said the Secretary. In the case of brown crab, he noted that only the legs are removed, which will grow again, "thus safeguarding the sustainability of the species."
"As for king crab, only males are caught," added the government official.
The "Pico crab Company" exports to the premium markets of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Malaysia, Dubai, USA and France.