Europêche has welcomed Portuguese industry association ADAPI as its newest member, broadening its representation of fishing enterprises across the European Union.
ADAPI is the only national association of fishing vessel owners operating at a nationwide level in Portugal. It represents 52 coastal trawlers active along the Portuguese and Spain coasts, as well as seven distant waters trawlers operating in international waters.
‘At a time of growing regulatory pressure, geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty, it is essential for the Portuguese fishing fleet to be fully engaged where key decisions are taken,’ said ADAPI president Miguel Cunha.
‘We look forward to working closely with Europêche to ensure that EU policies better reflect the operational realities of our vessels and support a sustainable and competitive fishing sector.’
Fishing is deeply embedded in the culture, identity and economy of many European coastal communities – especially in Portugal. As the largest per-capita consumer of fish in the European Union, Portugal depends on a resilient and competitive fishing sector to guarantee food security, ensure stable supplies of seafood – including the iconic bacalhau – and sustain the social and economic fabric of its coastal regions.
We are very pleased to welcome ADAPI as a full member of Europêche,’ commented Europêche president Javier Garat.
‘This strengthens our collective voice in Brussels and enhances our capacity to defend fishing enterprises across all sea basins. Europêche will work closely with ADAPI to ensure that the concerns of the Portuguese fleet are effectively represented in EU fisheries policies.’
