Bullied by the EU? The last pole-and-line fishermen of the Azores | DW Documentary

The Azores: A Fishing Tradition Under Threat

Key Concepts:

• Bigeye Tuna (Patudo): The primary tuna species fished in the Azores, and the most economically valuable.
• Purse Seine Nets: Large-scale fishing nets considered highly destructive, implicated in overfishing and bycatch.
• Rod and Line Fishing: The traditional, sustainable fishing method used in the Azores, involving individual lines and hooks.
• Dolphin Safe Label: A certification indicating sustainable fishing practices that minimize harm to dolphins.
• EMBRC: European Marine Biological Resource Centre, a research network focused on marine biology.
• Mobula Tarapacana: A species of ray facing population decline, observed with fishing-related injuries near diving sites.
• Quota System: Government-imposed limits on the amount of fish that can be caught.

1. The Plight of Azorean Tuna Fishermen

The documentary focuses on the challenges faced by tuna fishermen in the Azores archipelago, a Portuguese territory in the North Atlantic, approximately 1400 kilometers from mainland Europe. These fishermen, employing traditional rod and line techniques passed down through generations, are struggling to maintain their livelihoods due to dwindling catches, falling prices, and increasingly restrictive fishing quotas. Mestre Eduino Quadros, a skipper with 15 crew members, exemplifies this struggle. He expresses deep concern about his ability to pay his crew and the unpredictable nature of their catches: “Sometimes a shoal turns up and we get enough fish to last the month. Other times, we’re out for one, two or even three weeks and don't find a single fish.” The fishermen rely on visual cues – observing seagulls feeding on the surface – as they lack sophisticated technology for locating tuna schools. Competition is fierce, with over 30 boats operating around the nine major Azorean islands, all facing the looming threat of quota exhaustion. As of three weeks into the season, 80% of the bigeye tuna (“patudo”) quota had already been reached, jeopardizing the remainder of the fishing year.

2. The Search for Tuna and the Impact of Quotas

The fishermen’s daily routine involves long hours scanning the ocean surface for signs of tuna. Their traditional method involves attracting tuna with live bait and using jets of water to excite them. Paulo Quadros, co-owner of the cutter with his brother Eduino, notes that a good catch would be 12-15 tonnes, but recent catches have been significantly lower, around 2-3 tonnes. The documentary highlights the frustration with the quota system, which the fishermen believe doesn’t reflect their sustainable fishing practices. The sudden announcement of the bigeye tuna quota being reached – “Please be advised that the bigeye tuna quota has been reached. From midnight tonight, catching bigeye tuna is banned” – is met with outrage by Mestre Eduino and his brother: “It’s so frustrating. We’ve been fishing less than a month and now have to stop.”

3. The Rise of Tourism and Diving in the Azores

Parallel to the fishermen’s struggles, the documentary showcases the burgeoning tourism industry in the Azores, particularly diving. Steffen Ehrath, a German diving instructor with over 5000 dives under his belt, has established a successful diving school on the island of Santa Maria. He emphasizes his passion for the ocean: “It’s my passion, I’m not doing it for money.” The Azores are renowned for their rich marine biodiversity, attracting divers eager to encounter whale sharks, manta rays, and various other species. Steffen’s school is one of five on Santa Maria, benefiting from two diving paradises. He attributes his success to a significant initial investment from his father, and the school’s value has tripled since its inception. His girlfriend, Alice Soccodato, a marine biologist working with the EMBRC in Paris, highlights the impact of climate change on marine species distribution, noting their earlier arrival each year.

4. Ecological Concerns and the Need for Preservation

Alice’s research underscores the importance of protecting the Azorean marine environment. She points to the declining population of mobula rays (“Mobula tarapacana”), with a 17% decrease in the last 10-15 years, and the observation of individuals with fishing-related injuries. She advocates for increased protection, stating, “We were able to get the interdiction of fishing on the spot for a diameter of 300m. So it’s still not much in terms of ecological value.” The documentary emphasizes the need for a balance between economic activity and environmental conservation. Steffen proposes a “marine park fee” to fund water police monitoring and subsidize fishermen to avoid sensitive diving areas.

5. The Contrast Between Sustainable and Destructive Fishing Practices

The documentary draws a stark contrast between the sustainable rod and line fishing practiced in the Azores and the destructive practices of industrial purse seine fishing. Mestre Eduino vehemently condemns purse seine nets, calling them “a crime” and “a murderous way of fishing.” He explains how these nets can stretch for up to two kilometers and indiscriminately capture entire schools of fish, including juvenile fish seeking shelter. He argues that the focus should be on eliminating these destructive methods rather than penalizing sustainable fishermen.

6. Economic Realities and the Role of the European Union

The fishermen feel betrayed by the quota system, especially given their commitment to sustainable practices. Rafaela Pestana, from the local fishing authority, monitors their fishing activities to ensure compliance with “Dolphin Safe” standards and other ethical guidelines. She acknowledges the importance of their work, stating, “This fishing is very sustainable.” However, the low prices received for their catch exacerbate the problem. The factory owner on Sao Jorge acknowledges the precarious situation, attributing it to the European Union’s policies and fluctuating international market prices. He emphasizes the importance of the fishing industry to the local economy, employing 130 people on the island.

7. The Future of Fishing and the Azorean Identity

The documentary concludes with a somber outlook for the future of tuna fishing in the Azores. Mestre Eduino expresses his despair, fearing that his sons will not follow in his footsteps. His older son works in insurance, and he doesn’t want his younger son to become a fisherman either, preferring he pursue higher education. Paulo Quadros echoes this sentiment, lamenting the decline of the fishing village and the loss of a traditional way of life. Rodrigo, Paulo’s son, a math teacher, warns against over-reliance on tourism and the potential for a superficial experience for visitors. Mestre Eduino’s final words encapsulate the fishermen’s frustration and the uncertain future of the Azores: “They’re returning to their home port on the island of Pico. Their crew members are seasonal workers from Portugal’s former colonies. Very few locals are up for doing the job.”

Notable Quotes:

• Mestre Eduino Quadros: “Sometimes a shoal turns up and we get enough fish to last the month. Other times, we’re out for one, two or even three weeks and don't find a single fish.”
• Steffen Ehrath: “It’s my passion, I’m not doing it for money.”
• Mestre Eduino Quadros: “I call that a crime. It is a crime. The purse seine nets should be abolished.”
• Mestre Eduino Quadros: “If this was Spain or France, there’d be a thousand boats here. But here, there’s just a few dozen of us… Too few to be important.”
• Mestre Eduino Quadros: “I don't want my younger son to be a fisherman either. He should go to university and find a good job.”

Data and Statistics:

• Distance from mainland Europe: 1400 kilometers
• Number of boats: Over 30
• Quota reached (Bigeye Tuna): 80% after three weeks
• Mobula Tarapacana population decline: >17% in the last 10-15 years
• Employment in the Azorean fishing industry: Approximately 2,000 jobs
• Total population of the Azores: Around 240,000
• Employees at the Sao Jorge fish factory: 130

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The documentary paints a poignant picture of a traditional fishing community in the Azores facing an existential crisis. While tourism offers a potential economic alternative, the loss of the fishing industry represents a significant cultural and economic blow. The film powerfully argues for a re-evaluation of fishing policies, advocating for the protection of sustainable practices like rod and line fishing and the elimination of destructive methods like purse seine netting. The future of the Azores hinges on finding a balance between economic development, environmental conservation, and the preservation of its unique cultural heritage.