Four meres were released on Friday afternoon, September 7th, next to the islets of Martinhal, in Sagres, in an action promoted by the Portuguese Federation of Underwater Activities (FPAS), in partnership with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA ), as part of the opening of the World Underwater Fishing Championship, which ends today in that Algarve village.
According to FPAS, the initiative aims to “promote ecological balance and the development of species”.
The release of the groupers was closely monitored by the minister of the Sea, Ana Paula Vitorino, and by the secretaries of State and Environment, José Mendes, and for Fisheries, José Apolinário.
The operation was also accompanied by the inspection boat “Hidra”, of the Portuguese Navy, where the groupers were transported.
During her visit to Sagres, the Minister of the Sea was approached by members of the informal group “Stop Petróleo Vila do Bispo”, which is contesting the planned oil prospecting hole off the Costa Vicentina. The protesters handed Ana Paula Vitorino a document where the signatories to fired of her functions as Minister of the Sea, since, in her opinion, "has not known how to honor" such a position.
The islets of Martinhal, located in front of the beach of the same name and a short distance from the port of Baleeira, are a marine reserve area of the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, where recreational, sport or commercial fishing is prohibited in all areas. its modalities.
The mere (whose scientific name is Epinephelus marginatus) is a very docile fish, whose number has been decreasing in the seas. In order to return to inhabit the waters of the Algarve, not only for ecological purposes, but also for tourism, as this is one of the favorite animals of divers, who travel hundreds of kilometers to have the opportunity to meet them, the IPMA has regularly released specimens into the wild, produced and raised in its Pisciculture Pilot Station in Olhão (EPPO).
The minister and the two secretaries of State, as well as the mayor of Vila do Bispo, then presided over the official opening of the XXXI Underwater Fishing World Championship, which ends this Sunday in Sagres, with the presence of 23 teams and more than 300 athletes from all over the world.
Video (Credits: FPAS):
Four specimens of the Mero species have just been released off the island of Martinhal. The initiative, which aims to promote ecological balance and the development of species, was closely monitored by the Minister of the Sea, Ana Paula Vitorino, the Assistant Secretary of State for the Environment, José Mendes, and the Secretary of State for Fisheries, José Apolinário. This is followed by the official Opening Ceremony of the XXXI Underwater Fishing World Championship that takes place in Sagres until next Sunday, the 4th. #campeonatodomundo #pescasubmarina #sagres9
Posted by Portuguese Federation of Underwater Activities on Friday, September 7, 2018
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