Brussels, Dec. 8, 2024 (Lusa) - Portugal's minister of agriculture and fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, announced on Sunday the reopening of a cod fishing area near Canada after 32 years and said that current scientific data contradicted the proposed cut in red seabream.

Speaking to Lusa, José Manuel Fernandes said that the 35% cut, to 399 tonnes, in catches of red seabream in Azorean waters, proposed on 31 October by the EU government, is based on scientific data from 2021.

‘This cut is based on scientific data from 2021 and does not reflect the recovery’ of red seabream that has been observed in the meantime, the minister emphasised, speaking to Lusa in Brussels.

‘If it were to be decided solely based on scientific advice, an algorithm and artificial intelligence would dispense with those meetings, and the decision would be made based on an algorithm, without political intervention,’ emphasised José Manuel Fernandes.

The environmental pillar must be linked to the social and economic pillars when discussing fisheries, he said, pointing out that many traditional fishing techniques are used in the Azores.

The minister also announced that, in international negotiations, a cod fishing zone off Canada, in NAFO waters, has reopened to EU fishermen after 32 years of prohibited fishing.

In addition to the proposed cuts, Lisbon's biggest difficulties will be the separation between the west coast, where the Portuguese fishing fleet mostly operates, and the Strait of Gibraltar (waters dominated by Spain), which it believes will be to Portugal's detriment.

On Monday, the ministers responsible for fisheries in the EU begin a meeting that includes agreement on TACs and quotas for various stocks managed by Brussels, which are usually difficult negotiations.

José Manuel Fernandes and the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar represent Portugal.

IG/ADB // ADB.

Lusa