The Directorate General of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services (DGRM) participated in the ceremony for the start of functions of the new inspection body of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, dedicated to monitoring, surveillance and control of fisheries and related activities.

Thus, a pressing need of the National Monitoring, Control and Surveillance System is overcome, and there is now a body in Madeira responsible for local action and regional coordination, within the scope of all the entities that make up SIFICAP - Fishing Activities Inspection and Control System, allowing for a better integrated management of natural resources, data collection, control of technical measures and the safeguarding of life at sea.

To the new inspectors were given the Diplomas of the Training that took place during 12 months and were given the Official Inspector Cards, essential to the exercise of these functions under the terms foreseen in the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union.

The ceremony was chaired by the Regional Secretary for Sea and Fisheries, Teófilo Cunha, and was attended by the Director General of DGRM, José Simão, the Director of Services of DGRM, Carlos Ferreira, as well as the Regional Directors for Sea, Mafalda Freitas, and Fisheries, Rui Fernandes. Also present were the regional heads of the AMN, GNR, ASAE and other local entities, including several elements associated with the fishing and maritime sector.

The DGRM congratulates the Regional Secretariat for Sea and Fisheries for achieving this important milestone and is proud to have collaborated with Madeira in the creation of the regional legal framework for inspection and in the training and preparation of an adequate body of Fisheries Inspectors, which also included on-the-job training at DGRM facilities and in fishing ports and vessels on the mainland.

To the new inspectors DGRM wishes all the best and a good performance in inspection, awareness and action when necessary to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU).