Aqua Portugal

Following the adoption of the UN’s Law-of-the-Sea with its exclusive economic fishing zones, today Portugal catches less half it did prior to the adoption of the law – down from 500,000 tonnes per year to 200,000-250,000 tonnes/year - in its own waters.

Fish, and codfish in particular, are traditional in the Portuguese diet, says Manuel Pinto de Abreu, Secretary of State of the Sea, Portugal, who was in London recently for the BioMarine Business Convention 2012.

With more than 60 kg of fish being consumed per head of population per year, Portugal is the third largest consumer of fish globally and yet is struggling to supply it’s own needs from its fishing activities.

What can we do about this? Is not a rhetorical question but one Mr Pinto de Abreu is keen to answer.
“My Ministry is planning a new legal framework to encourage investment in fish farming developments in Portugal; to set up a new research institute with others to move on research and innovation forward and to develop fish farming techniques for species natural to our waters, such as the Covena.”

He is also reducing the time period projects take to receive approval and is simplifying the licensing process: instead of multiple licences farmers will need just one in future.

“We need to work to attract investors to Portugal and I’m confident they will come if we do these things correctly. But we need to move as fast as possible and in keeping with EU regulations. I hope we will have everything in place for this summer.”

Portugal may no longer be the ocean fishing and maritime nation of Europe it use to be, however it is keen to claim the title of aquaculture country of Europe, Mr Pinto de Abreu adds.

Manuel Pinto de Abreu, Secretary of State of the Sea, Portugal, who was in London recently for the BioMarine Business Convention 2012.