Azores dispute over Lotaçor fish transport rules sparks party clash

In the Azores regional assembly, PSD deputy Paulo Gomes accused the Socialist Party (PS) of misleading fishermen with false narratives about the public company Lotaçor. He said the PS claimed new rules imposed by Lotaçor created additional bureaucracy for vessel owners, while Lotaçor maintains that issuing transport documents is a legal obligation of the economic agents responsible for moving fish.

The PS criticised Lotaçor for no longer issuing documents that traditionally accompanied fish transport for first‑sale purposes, shifting the responsibility to ship owners via the tax portal. Lotaçor responded that its internal procedures were adjusted to ensure compliance with the law. The PSD also highlighted Lotaçor’s financial situation, noting a debt exceeding €22 million and monthly interest payments of about €250 000.