letter to ministry
In recent discussions about fishing policy, tensions rose as the European Union proposed a new 12-day reduction for troll and trawl operations in the Mediterranean. The measure, though supported by some groups, was met with strong objections from fisheries organizations across the five autonomous communities that border the region. They argued that the move would threaten the continuity of a significant portion of the regional fleet and urged careful consideration of the impacts of recent measures before adding new constraints. The Generalitat Valenciana Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries echoed these concerns, stressing that the proposed cut had been put forward without a thorough evaluation of the effects of already implemented measures.
The Mediterranean policy of decreasing fishing days has substantially limited operations. This year, 130 trawlers in the Alicante province could fish only 165 days, down from the 240 days they enjoyed two years earlier. The decline translated into a 20 percent drop in catch, equivalent to about 1,800 tonnes, and it squeezed profit margins while putting roughly 800 jobs at risk. Facing a sector already stretched thin, proposals for a further 7.5 percent cut, effectively equating to 12 days, were expected to shape the agenda for the next Fisheries Ministers Council. The upcoming discussions, scheduled for the Brussels meetings on the 11th and 12th of the month, were watched closely by stakeholders across the region.
the regional response
Fisheries groups representing Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Murcia, Andalusia, and the Community of Valencia joined forces to articulate their position in a united letter. They addressed Alicia Villauriz, the Fisheries General Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, outlining what they described as an impossible path for new constraints. They noted that achieving maximum sustainable yield across multiple species in the Mediterranean is not feasible in a single instance. The letter urged delaying the target from 2025 to 2030 and called for a thorough assessment of the impacts of measures already in place before making further changes.
Juan Mulet, secretary of the Provincial Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds of Alicante, underscored the gravity of the situation. He warned that if the proposal were adopted, roughly half of the trawler fleet might be forced to halt operations. He emphasized the practical impossibility of sustaining a business that operates only half a year, noting that compensation offered to workers falls far short of what is needed. In his view, the European Union has not shown adequate respect for the Mediterranean fishing fleet and the communities that rely on it.
EU replies with renewed focus on fishing
Regional Secretary of Agriculture and Fisheries, Roger Llanes, expressed strong support for the sector. He pointed out that the current approach does not appear to include a thorough analysis of the measures already in place, a gap that risks keeping the industry in a stalemate. Llanes noted that recent decisions had been driven by broader coastal and oceanographic considerations while the Mediterranean traditions and small-scale practices remain central to the regional fishing culture. He recalled that the Spanish ministry had opposed similar restrictions in the previous year and pledged to defend the industry in the present context. The key concern he raised is that Brussels tends to treat Mediterranean fishing as if it were large-scale industrial activity, when in reality it is deeply rooted in traditional artesian methods.