Spain defends fishing quotas to save trawler fleet from extinction
- Luis Planas will advocate for fishing quotas that benefit the Spanish fleet during EU negotiations in Brussels next week.
- Spain, along with France and Italy, is seeking a moratorium on certain fisheries management measures in the Mediterranean due to their adverse effects on local fishing communities.
- The outcomes of these negotiations are critical for the viability of the fishing industry in Spain and could significantly affect thousands of jobs.
Spain is actively preparing for crucial negotiations regarding fishing quotas that will take place on December 9 and 10, 2024, in Brussels. Luis Planas, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, emphasized the importance of considering the social and economic impacts when determining Total Allowable Catches (TAC) and quotas. The negotiations will focus on fishing possibilities for the years 2025 and 2026, particularly for fish stocks exclusive to the European Union. The outcomes are critical as they impact the livelihood of many, including the trawler fleet that could face dire consequences from unfavorable proposals. The situation is especially complex in the Mediterranean as the existing five-year transitional period ends this year, and the European Commission's proposal has been deemed disappointing by Spain, France, and Italy. These countries have jointly called for a moratorium on new fisheries management measures for 2025, asserting that the proposed regulations could endanger the trawling fleet, comprising 556 boats and 17,000 associated jobs. This highlights a significant tension between environmental regulations and the economic survival of fishing communities. In contrast, agreements for fishing quotas in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) have already been settled favorably for the Spanish cod fleet, specifically benefiting the Galician fleet, which will resume fishing in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland after a long moratorium. This development indicates Spain's strategic balancing act between pursuing sustainable fishing policies and safeguarding the livelihoods of its fishing sectors. Additionally, Planas is set to address other agricultural issues, including regulations on genomic plant production and animal welfare during transport. His advocacy for regulations that support modern agricultural practices demonstrates Spain's intention to embrace innovation while ensuring food security and promoting profitable production within the agri-food sector.