Africa-Press – Angola. A fishery specialized in catching octopus, called Mormolo, with a capacity of 100 tons per month, started operating this weekend, in the Caota area, in Benguela.
Recently inaugurated by the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, JoseĢ de Lima Massano, the unit is the result of an investment of thirteen million euros.
According to Miguel Seabra, one of the shareholders, forty percent of the investment was guaranteed by equity and the rest by banking.
“This is one of the most modern processing plants in the country and in Africa, with European standards,” said the official.
Miguel Seabra also said that it is the first factory in the country certified for octopus exploitation by the European Union.
The person in charge informed that last Friday the first export took place, of thirty tons of octopus, to a client in Portugal.
The businessman added, on the other hand, that the fishing department has already started to serve the national market, both in the catering segment and in distribution to large commercial areas.
“We have a vessel that is also a factory. It goes out for a twenty-day trip, with two shifts, and in addition to the capture, it processes, freezes and packs”, he explained.
By the way, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Carmen do Sacramento Neto, said that the Executive is monitoring octopus fishing, not forgetting the biology and structure of what exists in the sea.
“Angola does not consume much octopus. This first experience indicates that some species can be caught for export, but it is necessary to ensure that some quantity remains for the country”, he recommended.
Regarding the Mormolo fishery, she was pleased, claiming that it will contribute to supporting the economy, bringing foreign currency to the country, since it has the necessary qualifications to export with quality.
However, some fishermen continue to fish horse mackerel that is in a closed period, violating the law in this regard.
On this subject, the minister replied that during this period there is an extension for the capture of ten to fifteen percent, but the prevaricators take advantage, claiming that the amount subtracted corresponds to the stipulated value.
He assured that these, when they are surprised by the inspectors, are fined and the product is confiscated.
He promised to work for the registration of alterations in the current law, in the sense of being tougher in the penalties to discourage the transgressors and asked for the denunciation, by the population.
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