Cash for Research and Fleets

According to Fis.com, the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) will fund fisheries research, the improvement of the productive chain of the Northern fishing fleet using driftnets, and lobster vessels of the North and north-eastern zones of the country.

The Council will be in charge of contracting researchers who will develop the studies.

The financial resources will be used to conduct studies on the development of the anchovy productive chain and create a research and technology network in marine fish-farming.

Some 15 research institutions were selected, which will be in charge of executing the projects.

The findings regarding driftnet and lobster fishing should be ready over the next two years.

The conclusions of the study on the anchovy productive chain and the marine fish-farming research network will be available within a period of three years.

The achievement of those studies represents the continuity of research-and-technology actions of the plan ‘More Fishing and Aquaculture,' launched in 2007 by the MPA.

The fishing fleet of the Northern region that uses driftnets was selected by the experts due to the importance of the species it targets, among which are croacker and seabream, reports Fis.com.

Also, the lobster has a high commercial value, which generates sustained pressure on the capture of the crustacean.

The studies on the anchovy chain will allow for the collection of information regarding abundance, market potential, by-products and commercialisation, among others.

As of April 2009, the measures implemented by the Brazilian fishing authorities to regulate the lobster fishery and boost its production have not been producing the desired effects.

Meanwhile the lobster sector continues experiencing a sustained fall in sector productivity and profitability in its operations.