PAN/Azores proposes to limit the marketing of lapas outside the region

O PAN/Azores delivered in the regional parliament a legislative initiative aimed at limiting the commercialization and expedition of captured lapas in the region out of the archipelago, to respond to “the worrying decline” of some populations of this species, it was announced today.

The initiative arises “in a context in which the pressure on the populations of lapas continues to raise serious concerns from an environmental and scientific point of view, reiterated by several studies that demonstrate the vulnerability of these species to intensive human exploitation”, explains the PAN/Azores, in a press release.

According to the party, the proposal covers collectors, buyers, traders, wholesalers, transporters, storekeepers and processing establishments, and private.

The PAN/Açores also underlines that recent data “identified significant differences between the populations of lapas in the various islands, highlighting significant reductions in the number of copies in São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa and Santa Maria, as well as a very worrying decrease in lapa-brava in Flores”.

In view of this scenario, the party argues that the conservation of lapas should play a “central role, especially when the growing commercial demand associated with external markets is an additional factor of pressure on animal species that plays an important role in the ecological balance of Azorean coastal areas”.

The project proposes the creation of a regime to prevent the export of the region of several species, namely lapa-mansa, lapa-da-pedra, lapa-brava, lapa-de-fundo and lapa-de-merger, regardless of the island where they are captured, the type of catch or the purpose initially assigned.

The restrictions cover all actors in the marketing chain, including pickers, buyers, traders, wholesalers, transporters, storekeepers, processing units, commercial and private establishments.

The party also proposes the creation of a regional economic compensation mechanism for licensed catchers with a view to mitigating any income losses resulting from the application of the restrictions.

According to the sole deputy of the PAN in the Azorean parliament and spokesperson of the party in the Azores, Pedro Neves, the measure assumes a preventive character, seeking to reduce the intensity of exploitation over resources and allow the recovery of the populations of lapas.

In this context, the party highlights the export data to Madeira, indicating that 32 tonnes of lapas were shipped in 2025, with an increase of 68.4% between 2024 and 2025.

“The proposal is also based on the recognition of the special vulnerability of island coastal ecosystems, whose preservation requires management mechanisms adapted to the ecological reality of the region,” says PAN/Açores.

Pedro Neves stresses that the proposal seeks to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity, sustainability of aquatic species and economic justice for professionals who depend on this activity, seeking to ensure that the recovery of Lapa populations is realized for the benefit of present and future generations.