We recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the Working Group for Recreational Fisheries Surveys in the stunning island of Horta, Azores. Horta, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich marine life, provided the perfect backdrop for our work and leisure activities.

We were joined by members of fisheries organisations across the globe such as Government of Western Australia , Cefas and Angling Trust to attend a conference that plays a crucial role by providing recreational fishery data and estimates essential for ICES stock assessments and advisory processes.
The sessions offered valuable insights and new perspectives on how recreational fishery data is gathered and utilised across different countries.

Aside from the enriching conference sessions, we also had the chance to explore the island. Highlights included hiking the Caldeira volcano, whale watching, and enjoying a locally made dinner on Pico Island.

Reflecting on the trip and chatting to Grace and Sam who attended on behalf of Substance, they said
‘It was an enriching experience. Seeing how similar work is implemented in other countries was incredibly interesting and has given us new ideas to explore in our projects. The people we met were all lovely, and the location couldn’t have been better. All in all, it was a perfect blend of work and leisure that left us feeling inspired and motivated.

We are grateful for this experience and look forward to applying the insights gained to our future projects’ 🌍🐋🥘