Generational Change remains a key concern for Spanish fishermen

The National Federation of Fishermen's Guilds in Spain has highlighted the sector's main concerns: generational change, fleet modernization, and the Common Fisheries Policy review in light of its upcoming reform.

Additionally, the regulation for small-scale fishing vessel control was also discussed, including the recording of entries and exits from the port, landings, and discards.

Finally, the claims regarding certain small-scale fishing gear were analyzed, including the regulated number of hooks for specific activities, and concerns about the royal decree on packaging application.

To address all these requests, it has been proposed to create working groups focused on specific issues, aimed at enhancing the viability and improving the profitability of the artisanal fleet.

All of this was discussed during the meeting between the Federation and the Secretary General of Fisheries, Isabel Artime, as part of the annual inter-federation event for fishing guilds in the Cantabrian Northwest. The Director General of the Merchant Marine, Gustavo Santana, also attended the meeting.

A meeting point for all the guilds

For the effective implementation of fishing policies, cooperation between public administrations and the sector is essential, as reminded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food.

The Sustainable Fishing and Fisheries Research Law outlines the principles of coordination, cooperation, and participation that should govern Spanish fishing policy.

"The fishing guilds are an example of cooperation and association that enables the development of the sector, as they integrate all participants in fishing activities into a single representative body."

In line with this, the Monitoring Committee of the Spanish program of the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) addressed generational renewal and local development challenges to ensure the production, processing, and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products. Spain is the leading beneficiary member state of EMFAF, with a budget allocation of €1,120 million.