In a Wednesday session before the plenary of the House of Representatives, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Louis Planas, stated that Spain would object to the closure of certain fishing areas to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The issue centers on restrictions that could limit access to fishing zones and the potential impact on the industry. Planas’ remarks came during a government control session in the Lower House, where he also criticized the opposition parties, the PP and BNG, for what he described as a lack of strength in defending access to these fisheries areas and in seeking compensation for the industry.
Planas characterized the European Commission’s decision as deeply unfair for the fisheries sector and argued that the scientific information underpinning the EU’s move was insufficient and outdated. He asserted that the most up-to-date data available was on the Commission’s desk but was not given due consideration in the decision-making process. The minister also raised concerns about a perceived balance problem in the veto, insisting that government policy should protect ocean bottoms and marine environments while remaining proportionate to the interests of fishermen and the communities that depend on them.
The veto, approved on September 15, affects trawling in 87 protected zones within the communal waters of the Northeast Atlantic. In practical terms, this translates to barring catches of certain species in waters exceeding 1,500 meters in depth, a move that could have significant implications for fleets and coastal economies. Supporters of the measure argue it aims to safeguard fragile ecosystems and promote sustainable fishing practices, while critics, including Planas, argue that the decision does not adequately reflect the needs of the fishing industry and local communities whose livelihoods rely on access to these deeper waters.
Throughout the discussion, Planas emphasized the importance of balancing environmental stewardship with the economic realities faced by fishermen. He urged a more thorough consideration of regional impacts, warning that overly restrictive measures could undermine sector stability and the ability of coastal regions to adapt to changing ecological and market conditions. The government’s position, as articulated in the control session, rests on maintaining robust protections for ocean habitats while pursuing fair compensation mechanisms and opportunities for industry players to participate in the process of regional management.
As the debate continues, stakeholders in Spain and the broader European fishing community are watching closely how authorities will respond to the concerns raised, including questions about data quality, the interpretation of ecological indicators, and the practical implications for fishing activity in depth-stratified zones. The conversation underscores the ongoing tension between conservation goals and the economic needs of fishing communities, a balance that policymakers across Europe are continually tasked with navigating at a time of evolving environmental pressures and regulatory frameworks.