“Considering the data from the captures made by the Portuguese fleet of the scabbardfish population unit in zones eight c, nine, 10, and EU waters of zone CECAF 34.1.1, it is informed that the quota utilization has reached 95%,” reads a note from the DGRM.
Zone eight c pertains to the Southern Bay of Biscay, zone nine corresponds to Portuguese waters, and zone 10 to the Azores Bank.
As a result, scabbardfish fishing is prohibited from 24:00 on Monday.
In turn, the respective landings are limited to by-catches of up to 5% of the total unloaded per vessel, at each fishing tide.
This fishing prohibition had already been announced for October 21, but the DGRM later annulled the ban considering the prospect of a quota increase.
The DGRM is a central service of the direct administration of the State, with administrative autonomy, aimed at the development of maritime safety and services, the execution of fishing policies, and the preservation of resources.
