Spanish fishing industry demands urgent EU action on five key issues

The Spanish Fisheries Confederation (Cepesca) has called on the European Union to take urgent action on five critical issues facing the sector, arguing that while long-term initiatives are welcome, immediate problems are threatening the industry's viability. The demands were presented during a meeting with the European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, Costas Kadis, in Vigo.

The first issue raised was the regulation prohibiting bottom fishing gear in 87 areas of the Northeast Atlantic. Cepesca stated the ban is having a "serious impact" on the longline fleet, citing that catches per vessel in the port of Burela fell by 32 per cent in 2024.

For the Western Mediterranean, the sector reported that while fish stocks are showing signs of recovery after six years of restrictions, fishermen are at the limits of their economic viability and cannot sustain further cuts to fishing days.

Cepesca also expressed concern over the "paralysis" of fishing agreement negotiations with key African countries and a "unilateral biological stoppage" imposed on the shellfish fleet by Mauritania.

The industry group also advocated for the creation of an independent, dedicated fund for fisheries within the EU's next financial framework.

Finally, Cepesca called for the simplification of the control regulation, particularly regarding the tolerance margin for the tuna fleet and the need to designate authorized ports in other countries where purse seine catches may be landed.

Javier Garat, Secretary General of Cepesca, summarised the sector's position. "Promises must be accompanied by concrete, measurable, and short-term actions."