Summertime beckons: sardines back on the menu!
Just as the first truly warm rays of sunshine start to break through the rain and gloom of the past few months, Portugal’s sardine fishing season has begun, with the limit this year set at 34,406 tonnes.
According to an order published in the Diário da República, some limits still remain in place, however.
Portugal and Spain manage sardine fishing in the Bay of Biscay (South) and Portuguese waters (East) using a multi-annual plan.
The limit for this year is 51,738 tonnes, with Portugal getting 66.5% (34,406 tonnes).
Periods have also been set in which it is not possible to catch, unload or offer for sale sardines beyond the specified limits.
From 00:00 today, vessels with an overall length of nine metres or less are limited to 1,800 kilograms (kg) or 80 baskets.
For boats longer than nine metres and less than or equal to 16 metres, the maximum is 3,150 kg (140 baskets), while for boats longer than 16 metres it is 4,500 kilos (200 baskets).
Meanwhile, from 00:00 on May 5, vessels with an overall length of nine metres or less are limited to 2,250 kg (100 baskets).
With a length of more than nine metres and less than 16 metres, the maximum is 3,938 kg (175 baskets) and for vessels with a length of more than 16 metres it is 5,625 kg (250 baskets).
From 00:00 on June 2, the limit is 2,700 kg (120 baskets) for vessels of nine metres or less, 4,725 kg (210 baskets) for vessels of more than nine metres and 16 metres or less and 6,750 kg (300 baskets) for vessels of more than 16 metres.
Catching, keeping on board, unloading and selling sardines is also prohibited on national holidays, as is it forbidden to transfer sardines to an auction other than the one corresponding to the port of unloading, as well as for the same vessel to unload in more than one port each day.
Sardine fishing was officially closed on December 4, last year.
Source: Lusa
