Brasilia-DF, Brazil – NETUNO USA Sustainability and Compliance Manager, Oceanographer Andre M. Brugger met with the National Secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Secretaria de Aquicultura e Pesca) Jorge Seif Jr. and staff at the Agriculture Ministry in Brazil to discuss the Northern Brazilian Caribbean Red Snapper Fishery Improvement Project.

Brugger attended the meeting to communicate that the FIP needs government support to move forward in MSC third principle. Seif Jr. agreed to enforce management rules and avoid IUU but pointed out that part of the fleet still needs to join the Traceability Government Program (PREPS). Secretary Seif and his team are proud that they were able to partner with a private company to develop more affordable equipment that have lower annual fees for maintenance. Brugger agreed that this will be very good for general compliance of the fisheries and that he will share the information to the fisheries and help SAP to push fleet to abide by the management rules. It was agreed also that the FIP Management Committee needs to resume regular meetings, even if they are done virtually, to share updates and strategies. More news to follow on these developments as the meetings occur.