Lisbon, April 17, 2025 (Lusa) - Sardine fishing will reopen this Monday, with a limit of 34,406 tonnes for 2025, according to an order published in Diário da República on Thursday. ‘Fishing for sardines (‘sardina pilchardus’) will reopen from 00:00 on 21 April 2025,’ reads the decree, signed by the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar. For the Portuguese fleet, the discard limit for sardines caught by purse seine is 34,406 tonnes in 2025. However, periods have been defined in which it is not possible to catch, unload or offer for sale sardines beyond the limits set. From 00:00 on 21 April, vessels with an overall length of nine metres or less have a limit of 1,800 kilograms (kg) or 80 baskets. For boats longer than nine metres and less than or equal to 16 metres, the maximum is 3,150 kg (140 baskets), while for boats longer than 16 metres it is 4,500 kilos (200 baskets). Meanwhile, from 00:00 on 5 May, vessels with an overall length of nine metres or less have a limit of 2,250 kg (100 baskets). For vessels longer than nine metres and less than 16 metres, the maximum is 3,938 kg (175 baskets), and for vessels longer than 16 metres, it is 5,625 kg (250 baskets). From 00:00 on June 2, the limit is 2,700 kg (120 baskets) for vessels of nine metres or less, 4,725 kg (210 baskets) for vessels of more than nine metres and 16 metres or less and 6,750 kg (300 baskets) for vessels of more than 16 metres. Catching, keeping on board, unloading and selling sardines is prohibited on national holidays. It is also forbidden to transfer sardines to an auction other than the one corresponding to the port of unloading, as well as for the same vessel to unload in more than one harbour each day. Sardine fishing closed on 4th December. PE/ADB // ADB. Lusa