Jacinto Silva, president of COOPESCA, expressed satisfaction with the return of dried bonito seized by the Maritime Police in Caniçal. He had confidence that the situation would be resolved in time for the Nossa Senhora da Piedade celebrations.
Silva explained that the fish has a specific purpose in local tradition, destined for the boats participating in the festival and also for the fishermen's families. He eagerly awaited the news but believed common sense would prevail for the fish to be returned before Saturday.
The COOPESCA president stated that justice had been served and, rather than "excessive zeal," preferred to acknowledge a "procedural error" by the authorities. He clarified that the fish, caught in the Azores, was being dried on board by the fishermen, a customary procedure without irregularities, assuring that "nothing was stolen."