The Administration Board of the Azores Fishers’ Salary Compensation Fund – FUNDOPESCA approved on Monday the activation of the Salary Compensation Fund for all fishers and shipowners on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial and Flores, due to the bad weather that has been affecting the Region in recent weeks.
The board members, including representatives from the fishing sector, the fish market management entity and the regional administration with responsibilities for employment and social security, agreed that the conditions set out in the Regional Legislative Decree no. 19/2013/A of October 17, in its current wording, considering the loss of income over 13 interspersed days in the 30-day fish auction sales period.
Between December 9, 2025, and January 26, 2026, there was a loss of income on 13 interspersed days, with daily fish sales at auction below 35% of the daily arithmetic median for the last three years, calculated per island.
Following this unanimous decision by the Administration Board, full-time fishing professionals will receive a salary compensation up to a maximum amount of €429.53 for those who worked between 10 and 12 months during the reference perio
This effort undertaken by the Regional Government corresponds to a maximum financial support of €370,000 for approximately 650 fishing professionals who contribute to FUNDOPESCA from all the islands of the Azores, except Corvo Island.
The applications will now be analysed, and compensation payments to fishing industry professionals are expected to begin in early March.
With the activation of FUNDOPESCA, the Regional Government reiterates its ongoing commitment to the social protection of fishing professionals, ensuring timely and effective responses to exceptional situations affecting the activity and economic stability of the Region’s coastal fishing communities.
GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU
