The fishing industry is experiencing one of its worst moments, a storm that seems to have no end and is causing it to run aground economically. Issues such as the new reduction of fishing days brought by Brussels or the unstoppable increase in fuel prices put the fleet in a tough and difficult situation that put its operations at risk. However, in the midst of this storm, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is finalizing a decree that will see ships see a nearly 15% increase in assistance they will receive through European funds. compensate for the reduction in working hours. An oxygen bubble, which may not be enough in all cases if the diesel stays on the roof.
European Union’s decision to implement a new crop of ten to twelve days for fishing He tied the industry in the Mediterranean because with this restriction, trawlers will be able to fish for only 165 days this year, from the 240 they used two years ago. In the province of Alicante, without going further, measure affects 130 shipsCompromises the continuity of 800 jobs. While the pressure by the industry itself and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to claim some form of compensation seemed to have worked, the panorama that stood out was not clear.
This was stated by Roger Llanes, the regional secretary of this department, who pointed out that the ministry is completing the preparation of a decree on which affected ships will receive credit. Assistance from the European Fisheries and Aquaculture Maritime Fund (Fempa). “It was fair for fishermen to be compensated for the profits they would lose as a result of these cuts,” he says.
In practice, this measure would mean a change in the system, thereby reducing aid for bio-stops so far and leading to compensation for reducing fishing efforts.
According to the calculations made, Juan Mulet, the secretary of the Fishermen’s Federation of Alicante, said: This change will result in an increase in aid by approximately 15%.This will make it possible to charge between 2,500 and 4,000 Euros, depending on the type of boat. As he stated, “We’re going to have a little bit more income, which is undoubtedly positive, especially given the state we’re in.”
In any case, it also makes it clear that these compensations do not clear the uncertain future of the industry. Fish oil prices above 80 cents and they’ve already depreciated the state aid. “People go to work just to pay Social Security and workers’ wages,” he complains.
Rafael Torres, representative of Alicante fishermen, says that both the funds promised by the ministry and the funding for fuel “represent a small respite, but the outlook remains very complex”.
More outspoken, Pedro Carmona, boss of the Torrevieja Brotherhood, points out that the auction-based pricing system means it’s not upside down for fishermen. «It’s so sad that they can’t put a price on their workand when the only option is to live on subsidies, it’s best to go home,” she concludes.