The number of registered fishermen in the Algarve has dropped from 6,210 to just 2,713 between 2001 and 2017, a whopping 56% decrease.
Low salaries, fishing restrictions and more attractive opportunities in the tourism and recreational boating sectors are among the main causes, according to Miguel Cardoso, the president of Olhão Pesca.
In January, the Algarve fishermen’s association complained about the “excessive and unnecessary” training which was keeping people away from the industry.
