Dr. Priscila Silva (University of Aveiro, CESAM) was awarded a Young Researcher and
Innovator Grant (YRIG) from the RethinkBlue COST Action to present her research at
the I Congreso Ibérico de Pesquerías Artesanales, held in Santander, Spain, from
21–23 April 2026.
Her paper, titled “Challenges and opportunities for the Portuguese tuna pole-and-line
supply chain from the Portuguese archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira,” examines
the socio-economic and structural pressures facing this artisanal fishery. Based on
interviews with fishers and key stakeholders, the study highlights concerns around low
economic returns, unmet market demand, and growing threats to fleet viability.
The findings point to a strong willingness among stakeholders to explore alternative
management approaches that reduce competitive “race to fish” dynamics.
Recommended actions focus on improving catch quality, strengthening market
reputation, and enhancing price structures to support long-term sustainability and
resilience of the sector.
Participation in the congress allowed Dr. Silva to share insights on small-scale fisheries
and foster dialogue on sustainable supply chain development.
