Spain calls for separate EU funding for fishing and aquaculture, different from rural aid

Spain's Secretary-General for Fisheries, Isabel Artime, has expressed her intention to ask Europe to provide “sufficient” funding to support fishing and aquaculture areas, to differentiate them from rural aid programs.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain, coastal communities in Spain cover nearly 30,000 square kilometres and are home to more than 11.5 million people, representing 25% of the Spanish population.

"We must preserve a specific approach for the fisheries and aquaculture sector, differentiated from other territorial development models, because our coastal communities have their own characteristics, needs, and challenges that require tools adapted to their reality," said Isabel Artime.

Also, the Secretary has inaugurated this week the 2026 plenary session of the Spanish Network of Fisheries Groups, held under the slogan 'Coastal Communities in Action'. Over three days, participants discussed ways to promote the value of small-scale coastal fishing and examined the role of local action groups in the future European fund for 2028–2034.

Finally, the best projects and good practices funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) over the past year were recognised, particularly those linked to sustainability, innovation, and the promotion of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

A few weeks ago, together with France and Italy, Spain asked the European Commission for an appropriate allocation of fishing days for 2027 and for a reform of the European Union regulation on fishing in the Western Mediterranean.