The Regional Directorate for Fisheries is joining a European control and surveillance mission this month under the Joint Use Plan (JDP) of the European Union for the Western Waters. According to a press release, Operation OP#10 will operate in sub-area 2 of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering the Region and the maritime area between Funchal and the mainland, with support from the European Fisheries Control Agency vessel, the FPV Ocean Protector. The mission will include a multidisciplinary team made up of one fisheries inspector from the Region, two inspectors from the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), plus the ship’s crew and EFCA operatives. Its main purpose is to detect possible fishing activity by third-country vessels in Union waters and to monitor fishing activity in the sub-areas by national and community vessels. The vessel is also being used in multifunctional operations within the framework of European cooperation in coast guard functions. During its deployment, it can also assist with search and rescue, maritime surveillance, and pollution response. The initiative is part of wider European cooperation aimed at protecting marine resources and combating illegal, undeclared and unregulated fishing, and the ship is expected to arrive in the Region on Saturday.
