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Category: Regional News
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Published on Monday, 29 April 2024 10:17
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Written by: Ana Trocado
An inspection that, a week ago, resulted in the collection of records from 11 fishing vessels in Póvoa de Varzim is causing anger among fishing owners. The seamen threaten to stop the fleet if the government does not resolve the Indonesian problem. Indonesian fishermen arrive in Portugal with a visa and employment contract, make discounts, but their maritime license is not recognized and, without it, they cannot go to sea. The president of the Association of Northern Fishing Shipowners (AAPN), Manuel Marques, explains the situation, which has been going on for several years, without the government resolving it.
Last Monday, as Onda Viva told you here, the Maritime Police, in collaboration with the Authority for Working Conditions (ACT) and the GNR Coastal and Border Control Unit, carried out a joint inspection in Póvoa de Varzim.
11 notices were raised for “infractions with the minimum security capacity and lack of legal qualification, especially by non-seafarers, to carry out fishing activities”, explained the National Maritime Authority.
Manuel Marques says that the problem has been going on for seven years and, if until now, the authorities “closed their eyes”, now it seems that they are preparing to tighten supervision. The president of the AAPN guarantees that 90% of the fleet is “illegal” and, if the season for “fine hunting” is to open, the boats will all stop.
Manuel Marques speaks of a “persecution of boats from Póvoa and Vila do Conde” and says that seafarers are fed up with meetings that solve nothing.
The fishermen want to meet with the new minister to find out what he thinks about the matter and say that patience is running out.
At the moment, in Caxinas alone, more than 500 Indonesians live and work fishing. Without recognition of the maritime license they bring from their country, they cannot work on board boats.
The statements can be heard in the local edition.
