The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, Roberto Albino, has adopted a “zero tolerance” stance toward environmental crimes in the country, warning of the activities of criminal networks, both domestic and foreign, that unlawfully appropriate natural resources.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, released this Thursday (22) and cited by Lusa, the minister warned that the actions of these networks have serious impacts, causing environmental degradation, erosion, and the impoverishment of communities, with direct effects on sustainable development.
This position was reiterated during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Director-General of the National Agency for Environmental Quality Control (AQUA), Renato Timana, and the Deputy Director-General of the Institute for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture (IDEPA), Elvira Cháuque.
On the occasion, Roberto Albino called for “technical, impartial and professional” oversight, capable of ensuring the fair application of the law, environmental protection, and legal certainty for operators who comply with existing regulations.
The minister also emphasized the need to strengthen environmental education, strategic partnerships, and preventive inspection, arguing that state intervention should not be merely reactive, but rather focused on risk anticipation and the prevention of environmental damage. According to the statement, he highlighted modernization and innovation as central pillars of the new mandates, prioritizing the digitalization of monitoring processes and the use of modern and advanced technologies, alongside the enhancement of human resources.
Regarding the Institute for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Roberto Albino recalled that the institution “has the responsibility to be the driving force behind the transformation of artisanal fishing into small- and medium-scale fishing,” as well as acting as a catalyst for the development of aquaculture, setting ambitious goals for the sector.
The minister also called for hands-on management, advocating closer engagement with fishermen in order to better understand their challenges, promote environmentally friendly technologies, and strengthen modern data collection and management systems to support decision-making.
Source: Diário Económico
