In this context, during the 2014-2020 period, the promotion of the regional
fisheries sector will be based on a combination of competitiveness and
sustainability, with an effective valuation of the respective productive activities:
− Support for SMEs in the production, processing and marketing sectors,
trying to identify new business areas, always with a view to preserving
fish stocks;
− Support for the small scale coastal fishing fleet, namely in terms of
improving safety and work conditions;
− Development of new professional competences and knowledge for
agents in this sector;
− Promoting interaction between professionals in this sector and existing
scientific structures, particularly the Department of Oceanography and Fishing of the University of the Azores, not just for fishing activities but
also as partners for innovation and diversification, namely in the context
of a new sea production chain;
− Support for actions to adapt and modernise supporting infrastructure,
with a view to improving the conditions offered to the fishing community,
by introducing new conservation techniques.