The cuts in fishing days imposed by the European Union on the trawler fleet are having a substantial impact on Alicante. The industry’s overall catch has fallen by roughly 2,000 tonnes over the last three years, and losses reach about 9 million euros. The situation is so fragile that the 130 ships affected by the measure have scant profitability and are hovering in uncertainty.
The Mediterranean fishing days reduction policy, in force since 2020, limits trawlers to 160 fishing days out of 240. This reduction directly curtails industry activity, with catches dropping from more than 10,000 tonnes last year to 8,300 tonnes this year, according to data compiled by the Alicante province fraternities. Revenue has fallen sharply as well; last year reached 43.3 million euros, but cumulative losses approach nine million euros as the drop in catches continues to bite the balance sheets.
The cuts have put fishing organizations across Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Murcia, Andalusia and the Valencian Community into ongoing tension, with even opposition voices within the Spanish Government. Yet, beyond minor concessions, the Brussels roadmap has pressed forward, and the anticipated results have been realized, even as communities feel the strain.
Fish markets and fleets such as Santa Pola have felt the pressure firsthand, with the local fish market showing how the changes ripple through every link in the chain, from fishermen to traders. The sector faces a future shaped by ongoing planning for the years ahead, including plans that could tighten restrictions further. The European Commission has urged member states to ban trawling in at least 20 percent of national waters by March 2024 as an initial step toward gradually eliminating it, with activity also constrained within Horizon 2030 protected marine areas.
That summary paints a bleak picture. Juan Mulet, secretary of the Provincial Federation of Alicante Fishermen’s Associations, notes that trawlers are already strained and a further cut could push the fleet toward a near halt. He emphasizes that it is not feasible to fish for only half the year when business viability depends on sustained operations, and compensation to workers remains insufficient, leaving many displaced and relying on unemployment support.
As an example, boats now have just 20 working days for this period, and the sector faces a contraction that forces a difficult decision on how to allocate the scarce days among vessels. The situation is compounded by fixed costs such as salaries and social security, which do not disappear with fewer fishing days. The broader question remains how sustainable these pauses are for the workforce and how to manage the economic impact on the fishery towns.
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Moisés Herades, president of the Xàbia Fishermen’s Association, stresses that the sector sits “on the edge.” Several days demand a shutdown, and the lack of revenue from such pauses is hard to offset with fixed expenses like payments to crew and social charges. The prospect of further cuts next year adds to the sense of hopelessness, and a permanent shutdown begins to look like a real option for some fleets.
Rafael Torres, Alicante’s leading employer, echoes the concern that tighter controls and ongoing penalties threaten viability. He notes that forced unemployment during gaps in fishing creates lasting economic damage, underscoring the fragility of the industry under current policies. The pauses also complicate workforce recruitment, as young people show limited enthusiasm for a demanding career that promises irregular work and uncertain income.
In practical terms, the pauses disrupt crew planning and recruitment. Boats face vacancies and long idle periods, complicating efforts to maintain continuity and retain qualified deckhands and technicians. The social and economic ripple effects extend beyond the docks, touching service providers and local businesses that rely on fishing activity for steady revenue.
Industry leaders stress that the outlook depends on policy calibration that supports both conservation goals and community livelihoods. The conversation centers on balancing ecological protection with practical economic realities, ensuring that the region can continue to participate in sustainable fishing while sustaining jobs, income, and investment in the local economy.