Only a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) can pause the bottom-fishing ban, a measure that covers a large stretch of the Atlantic coast and set to take effect on 9 October, potentially threatening the livelihoods of roughly a thousand Galician fishing boats.
The European Fisheries Commission on Monday rejected Spain, France and Ireland’s bid to suspend the ban pending a discussion of the latest scientific data on affected ecosystems. It instructed the Spanish government to seek a suspension as a precautionary step. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Luis Planas supported that stance, while his department begins examining the legal basis for an appeal.
In the middle of the month, Galician fishing operators learned that their viability could be imperiled, with nearly a thousand vessels affected by the veto restricting bottom fishing in 87 zones of the Atlantic. The goal is to safeguard sensitive habitats located between 400 and 800 meters deep, but the decree could extend even to minor surfaces due to a lack of precise definitions.
The measure spans 16,400 square kilometers from the Cadiz Bay across the Atlantic, Cantabrian Sea, Bay of Biscay and Gran Sol, and includes small gear. Yet, permit conditions remain more permissive for Dutch, British, Danish, and German vessels operating in their waters.
Spain, France and Ireland pressed for consideration at the European Fisheries Council meeting, where ministers from member states assembled yesterday. Spain’s minister, Luis Planas, argued for an immediate suspension and a fresh review grounded in updated scientific data that would show the ecosystems targeted by the ban are currently in good condition. It was a call for continued work rather than a halt to fisheries activity. [Source: European Council records, translated summaries]
France and Ireland backed this position, seeking to pause the measure until the most recent scientific data on the affected areas could be reviewed, with new information expected in Brussels in November. Planas questioned the urgency of immediate implementation if updated data would arrive in just over a month. He underscored the precautionary principle as a shared responsibility for seas and fisheries, stressing that European authorities must protect both the marine environment and the livelihoods dependent on it.
European Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius reaffirmed the commission’s stance, noting that the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) would deliver its scientific view and accusing some countries of cherry-picking data while refusing to consider updated information that could alter a decision impacting thousands of people, including Galician ships. He argued that the commission’s approach rests on the best available science, even if not all stakeholders welcome it. [Cited briefing from the Commission]
Confirming his position, Sinkevičius rejected Spain’s request to pause the ban, stating that the commission acknowledges not all parties are satisfied but believes it has chosen the best possible course based on current scientific advice. France and Ireland aligned with that view. The minister added that while the plan had been touted as a yearly review since 2023, room remained for adjustments if new data justified them. The next phase would begin in November with fresh data under review. He also hinted that any closures could be revisited if new reasons emerged, though the specifics of what would trigger reevaluation remain uncertain. [Official statements and transcripts]
This development prompted the Spanish government to explore judicial avenues. Planas noted that his ministry had already begun preparing a legal response and was consulting state legal services. He indicated that a court challenge could be brought before the European Court of Justice if a solid basis existed. The ministry subsequently confirmed it would pursue the appeal, though action was temporarily paused to obtain legal guidance. [Public remarks recorded by press offices]
Facing the situation, the Xunta de Galicia urged Madrid to seek a European justice ruling. Fisheries Minister Rosa Quintana indicated that if reports about the commissioner’s resistance to suspending the ban were confirmed, the ministry would file the appeal promptly, with support from the affected communities. In Ribeira, Quintana asserted that decisive action would come with broad backing. [Regional briefing notes]
The Consumption Minister acknowledged the dispute only after it erupted on the 15th: “I have the first news”
Alberto Garzón, Spain’s Consumption Minister, admitted on Monday that he had not kept pace with the open dispute with Brussels over the bottom-fishing veto, a move that has hit Galicia and the Cantabrian fleet hard. He toured the National Marine Biotoxins Laboratory in Vigo, one of the most affected ports, and confessed that he was unaware of the matter. “The truth is, I don’t have enough information to answer right now; it’s the first I’ve heard, I’ll stay informed and respond when I know more,” he told reporters.
While Garzón acknowledged the policy’s potential impact on national fish consumption, the issue remained a focal point of political debate in Galicia. Fisheries Minister Rosa Quintana warned of possible damage Brussels could cause and warned against hasty decisions that could lock in outcomes for years. A PPdeG spokeswoman signaled a push for political reconciliation at today’s plenary. BNG’s deputy speaker urged a united regional stance against Brussels, while socialist Xulio Torrado urged mediation by Xunta’s chair and criticized the decision as one that could harm regional interests. An EU spokesperson noted that the Galician perspective would be part of ongoing discussions. Ana Miranda, a Galician MEP for the BNG, argued that a commercial motive lay behind the decision and questioned whether the commissioner had fully weighed the socioeconomic consequences for fleets like Galicia’s. She asked whether the number of at-risk jobs and the broader social impact had been calculated before advancing the measure. [Statements from regional representatives and lawmakers]