The agreement reached between the European Union fisheries ministers for 2025 for 2025 has generated mixed opinions among the fishermen of Ibiza and Ibiza y Formentera. Although they value that a drastic reduction in fishing days has been avoided, the pact introduces new requirements that professionals consider complex to implement.
An agreement that avoids the worst
The Senior Skipper of the Fishermen’s Guild of Formentera, Ivan Perez, acknowledged that the agreement is “a lesser evil” compared to the initial proposal of the European Commission, which would have limited fishing activity to only 27 days per year. “It’s not the massacre we expected, but it’s not an ideal solution either,” Pérez pointed out in a dialogue with Radio Ibiza. The pact establishes that the trawl fleet will be able to maintain fishing days similar to those of 2024, with an average of 130 days per year, as long as it complies with sustainability measures, such as the use of selective gear and the restriction of fishing areas.
New conditions for fishing
Among the requirements are the implementation of more selective meshing and certification of sustainable practices, elements that, according to Perez, complicate the daily operations of the fleets. “Now they don’t assign you days directly, you have to earn them with sustainability measures, which adds a considerable burden,” he explained. The guild also regrets that the expected backing from other countries such as France did not materialize, which left Spain in a weaker position to negotiate.
Impact on the local sector
For fishermen in the Pitiusas, the agreement is not without its challenges. Complying with the measures imposed will require technical adaptations and greater investment in certifications, something that worries the small local fleets. However, they also appreciate that fishing days have not been drastically reduced, which would have had a devastating impact on the sector’s economy.
The challenge of sustainability
The agreement seeks to balance environmental sustainability with the socioeconomic viability of Mediterranean fishing fleets. Although Ibiza and Formentera fishermen recognize the importance of protecting marine resources, they believe that current conditions leave much room for uncertainty.
