Spain's Mediterranean Fleet Sees Increased Fishing Days Through Government Negotiations

The Spanish Government, in coordination with the Autonomous Communities and the Fishing Sector, has successfully negotiated with the European Commission to increase the fishing days for the Spanish Mediterranean fleet. According to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, the measures implemented by the Government have allowed the Mediterranean fleet to have between 120 and 130 days of work in 2025, compared to the proposed reduction of 79% by the European Commission. This success is attributed to measures such as changing the size of fishing meshes, installing flying doors on 200 ships, and negotiating an additional quota of 710 tons of red gamba with France.

Key Takeaways:

• The European Commission initially proposed a 79% reduction in fishing days for the Spanish Mediterranean fleet, which would have limited each ship to 27 days.
• Through negotiations, Spain was able to recover some days, allowing the fleet to operate between 120 and 130 days in 2025.
• The Spanish Government has implemented measures such as changing the size of fishing meshes, which has made 90% of the drag fleet more efficient, and financing the changes with over one million euros.
• The installation of flying doors on 200 ships has helped improve the fishing process.
• Spain negotiated an additional quota of 710 tons of red gamba with France, compensating for the 30% reduction proposed by the European Commission.
• The minister emphasized the need for sustainable fishing practices and the update of scientific studies to inform fishing management measures and regulations.
• All agri-food products entering Spain are subject to border control, carried out according to European Union regulations.

Statistics:

• 79%: The initial reduction in fishing days proposed by the European Commission for the Spanish Mediterranean fleet.
• 27 days: The number of fishing days initially proposed for each ship.
• 120-130 days: The number of fishing days allocated to the Spanish Mediterranean fleet in 2025, after negotiations.
• 90%: The percentage of the drag fleet that has become more efficient after changing the size of fishing meshes.
• 1 million euros: The amount financed by the Spanish Government to change the size of fishing meshes.
• 200: The number of ships equipped with flying doors.
• 710 tons: The additional quota of red gamba negotiated with France.
• 30%: The reduction in fishing days for Mediterranean fishermen proposed by the European Commission, offset by the additional quota negotiated with France.

Sources:

• "Measures applied by the Government, in coordination with the Autonomous Communities and the Fishing Sector, and the effort made by it, has allowed the Mediterranean fleet to be able to dispose of the same days of work in 2025 as in 2024." - Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
• "The European Commission, absolutely extensively proposed for this year a reduction of fishing days for the Spanish fleet of the Mediterranean of 79 %, so that each ship would only have 27 days." - Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
• "He has also mentioned the installation of flying doors by 200 ships and has announced that on October 1 the Ministry will mobilize the days available so that the fleet can continue to feed." - Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
• "In the face of negotiation in the European institutions of the permissible totals of capture and quotas by 2026, the minister has indicated that the first objective of Spain is to achieve more days of work for the Mediterranean fleet." - Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food