Azores fishing industry developments

The fishing sector in the Azores continues to navigate administrative and regulatory shifts. Political scrutiny remains focused on a €1.3 million fishing support facility in São Mateus, Terceira Island. Despite its formal completion, the Iniciativa Liberal (IL) party, through Deputy Nuno Barata, has requested clarification on why the infrastructure remains closed and unused.

On the regulatory front, the reopening of bigeye tuna fishing has officially entered into force following a successful coordination between the regional governments of the Azores and Madeira, alongside the Portuguese central government. This agreement secured a 500-ton quota for 2026, ending a multi-year period of unavailability for the sector. To ensure resource sustainability, the fishing operations—encompassing capture, maintenance on board, transshipment, and landing—are subject to strict limits, including a restriction of one trip per 48-hour period and catch limits determined by vessel length. This outcome follows a January 2025 understanding between the two autonomous regions intended to promote economic stability and defend the interests of local fishermen and shipowners.