The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, André de Paula, outlined a plan aimed at artisanal fishermen to expand the country's markets and impact the economy.
The central government is taking steps to resume the sale of Brazilian fish to the European Union and the UK. Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, André de Paula, attended the event and commented, Good morning minister This Wednesday (21/8), aired Government channelFrom Empresa Brasil de Comunicaão (EBC).
Brazil has not supplied fish to these two markets since 2018 due to non-compliance in the primary fishing chain. For the minister, the reopening is strategic.
“Firstly, because they are big consumer markets and they have a very strict health label. So, whoever supplies the UK, whoever supplies Europe, is supplying the whole world. We have to highlight that this was a priority under President Lula's government. The new research on protein sources Every day we get very positive news about the markets and fishing is no different.”
“We are very confident that this can happen again, because the negotiations are moving forward. We look forward to the arrival of health institutions on the European continent, which is very necessary for us to achieve this objective,” explained the minister.
Addressing the opening of markets with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, André de Paula said Brazil currently exports fish to 90 countries, highlighting the recent opening of exports to India and Singapore. The minister also cited the sale of lobster, tilapia and shrimp to the US.
“Apart from working hard to expand our production, we want to work so that our waste is increasingly valued by international markets. Then it's not a question of quantity, but of adding value to our exports. It has a very important economic impact in this sector, and that's why it's a priority,” Andre said. De Paula said.
Artisanal fishing people
In an interaction with radio anchors from different parts of the country, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister also spoke about the measures aimed at artisanal fishermen. One of them is the Artisanal Fisheries Project, which was launched in August last year. In Brazil, more than 1 million people live in artisanal fisheries and account for almost 60% of the fish produced in the country. They are mostly in the North-Eastern (46%) and Northern (37%) regions, where black, tribal and Quilombola fishers are more numerous.
Among the main objectives of the project are the implementation of policies in favor of artisanal fishing communities in Brazil and actions that respect the diversity, autonomy and fishing lifestyles, such as rafters, shellfish collectors, kaiseras, river dwellers, extractors, indigenous people. People and quilombolas.
The project will invest at least R$154, with actions aimed at improving working conditions, valuing cultural traditions related to fishing, socioeconomic inclusion of fishermen, credit and technical assistance, as well as science initiation scholarships for young students studying fisheries-related courses. million
“The project includes measures to support fishermen and women. Projects such as restarting fisheries expansion, supporting water knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation. We have a plan for our production chain, for which you have contracts for the purchase of equipment for artisanal fishing. “Fishermen need support to carry out their activities because their activity deprives them of their family's survival,” said André de Paula.
The minister highlighted that for the first time in the country there is a National Secretariat to take care of artisanal fisheries issues and to reorganize all social participation mechanisms such as the resumption of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Council (CONAP).
Check out other themes Good morning minister With Andre De Paula:
Fish week – Next week on September 2nd we start Fish Week. Now is the time to promote the importance of eating more of our fish. This happens during one of my visits to CEAGESP in São Paulo, early, in the middle of the night, to get the fish arriving at that distribution center and a set of activities going on around the country, including here in Brasilia. Like the lights of a television tower. These are activities that highlight the importance of increasing fish consumption over a period of one week. And it is one of the most important projects of Ministry of Fisheries.
Closed – First, highlight the importance of our Brazilian program, Safety Insurance. I remember last year, we had an international meeting here promoted by FAO, which highlighted this project as something to be replicated around the world. Defeso Insurance, precisely, aims to protect species. During this critical period, when fishermen are restricted from carrying out their activities due to environmental concerns, the government provides fishermen with Tefeso assistance, which is equivalent to the minimum wage paid during this period. In addition, of course, to all the support of our team, our supervisors, to ensure that during this period, the fisherman can mitigate the consequences of not being able to do his job. But I would say without a doubt that the most important public policy to help fishermen in this period is Defeso Insurance.
Climate change – Since I came to the ministry, we have faced droughts and floods in the Rio Grande do Sul and severe drought in the north. We had a problem with bandhanal, so this climate problem is with the entire government. I would say it affects all sectors of the economy, but especially the fishermen at the top. We need to have agility and speed in helping communities first, because usually such episodes require immediate action, but also to help fishermen regain access to their nets, materials and credit.
Aquaculture multipliers – I would like to highlight an important step taken by the National Aquaculture Secretariat to prioritize activities for aquaculture. Last year, the ministry launched a highly awarded and recognized program called Aquaculture Multipliers. This project, in a semi-progressive way, aims to bring to the marginal fish farmer, the fish farmer what he needs, a type of rural extension, technical support, guidance to expand economic activities.
Sao Francisco River – The environment, conservation of species and the conditions in which fishermen live today are truly worrying. I would say that President Lula gave a voice to the fishermen and empowered them when he re-created the Ministry of Fisheries. I am well aware of this fact and it is disturbing. We will announce partnerships with Codewasf and sign Union Water Transfer Agreements across the São Francisco River. Together with a group of technical experts from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture we participate in groups, meetings and movements aimed at tackling issues affecting the São Francisco River, which are of great importance to the economy.
Incentives – I think there is no other option than to make the activity economically viable. No matter how fulfilling one's career is, whether it comes from their parents, grandparents, if you can't support a family there, you won't be in that career. So, programs to support loans, incentives, remedial programs. Today there are areas where you noticed small fish, so you need to step in and act to correct this trend. These are all principles to think about so that we can carry out fisheries that the Ministry protects, is sustainable and respects nature.
Register – When we came to the ministry, we had about 220 thousand requests analyzed. Personally, we at the Ministry would not have the capacity to meet this demand. What did we do to alleviate the problem? We engaged the Ministry of Social Security and the Ministry of Labor, who have highly qualified technical experts in analyzing these claims. We formed a working group of around 65 technical experts from three ministries. In 45 days, 180,000 requests were granted and the rest were not granted. We analyze them all. At this time, we are once again working through the task force, as we have already accumulated a significant number of new requests. Therefore, we involve multiple ministries and work cross-functionally so that we can be at the forefront of helping fishermen.
Sport fishing – Today we discuss and build together the first national plan for the sustainable development of amateur and sport fishing. This has given confidence to the sector to participate with contribution. It is a growing sector worldwide, with economic potential, strengthening important regions such as the Rio Grande do Sul.
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