A difficult consensus around trawling
After a long debate between the members of the European Union, an agreement has been reached on trawling in the Mediterranean. The negotiations, which lasted for hours, saw Spain, Italy and France express their opposition to the initial proposal presented by the European Commission.
Commitment to sustainability and fishing activity
The new agreement, which was ratified early Wednesday, will allow fishermen to continue their activities almost as often as before, as long as they adopt measures to promote sustainability. The Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, assured a press conference that the idea is to preserve both fishing activity and the health of marine resources.
Maintain fishing opportunities
Kadis stressed that, with the implementation of the new regulations, fishermen would be able to maintain practically the same fishing days as in the previous year. ‘Our message is clear: we want to ensure that fishing opportunities are maintained in a sustainable way,’ declared the Commissioner.
Compensatory measures for responsible fishing
The agreement includes a set of twelve compensatory measures that allow vessels to increase their fishing days. For example, a vessel using specific trawls will be able to increase its activity by 9.3% compared to what was originally proposed.
Adaptations and economic support
The measures also include changes to vessel equipment and consider other factors, such as fishing restrictions due to closed periods. In addition, work is being done to ensure that the modifications become effective before May 2025, with the aim of facilitating compliance with the new regulations.
Challenges in implementation
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Luis Planas, has acknowledged that, although the agreement ensures fishing activity in the Mediterranean, the compensatory measures are complex to implement. He has promised, however, that public support mechanisms will be sought to facilitate the transition and guarantee the viability of the sector.
The future of Mediterranean fishing
The new agreement represents a significant step towards a more sustainable fishing model, with the aim of protecting marine resources while maintaining economic activity. The European Commission has highlighted that fishermen will be able to access the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to implement the necessary modifications, a support that could be key to facing the challenges ahead.