“By 2025, the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM) has received 20 requests from operators engaged in maritime-tourism activities,” according to their response to inquiries.
A total of 10 authorizations have been granted, with a priority on renewing licenses, enabling operators to continue their vessel activities and alleviating pressure on resources.
In 2024, 12 authorizations were granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Earlier, in 2022, nine licenses were issued, and five were granted the previous year.
The DGRM indicated that the number of licenses issued must be controlled, given that the available quota is 500 kilograms (kg).
Each adult bluefin tuna weighs, on average, between 220 and 250 kg.
This limit results from the conclusions of a working group involving various sector representatives.
“However, it is clarified that despite the quota being restricted, these vessels are allowed to release the live specimens caught and continue their activities, thereby reducing pressure on the resource,” the DGRM specified.
The DGRM also stated that these vessels might fish for other types of tuna or similar species, for which there are no limits regarding tourist fishing.
This tourist quota is intended for incidental catches, which must be reported to the DGRM.
A group of operators has demanded the government ensure equal treatment in the issuance of licenses for sport fishing of bluefin tuna, questioning the selection criteria adopted by the DGRM.
The owners and operators of maritime-tourism vessels licensed for sport fishing question why “licenses are granted to only 10 vessels, despite the existence of others duly legalized, active, and compliant with legal requirements,” according to complaints submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and the DGRM.
They further lament the exclusivity in granting licenses to vessels registered in 2024, excluding other operators.
The group seeks an urgent meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, or representatives from the relevant ministry.
These professionals demand a revision of the DGRM order, a suspension of its effects pending further evaluation, a public disclosure of the selection criteria adopted by the DGRM, and justification for the exclusion of legally compliant and long-active vessels as well as newly registered ones that represent significant investments in the sector.
Furthermore, they request that a license be issued to all vessels meeting the legal requirements.
According to a DGRM order outlining the conditions and management measures for this year’s fishing activities, bluefin tuna is subject to a national fishing plan communicated to the European Commission.
This plan considers the fishing possibilities allocated to Portugal, regional specifics, and the different components of this fishery.
The order, as highlighted in complaints sent to the government, states that the maximum number of maritime-tourism operators authorized to catch bluefin tuna is 10, giving priority to those “who had authorization in 2024” and have reapplied for such authorization.
