The fishermen of Formentera have decided to convey calm before the initial proposal from Brussels to set at 10 days of departure for the trawl fleet in 2026, a number they consider insufficient but which they interpret as the usual starting point of the negotiating process. The confraternity recalls that these preliminary figures are usually extended after the incorporation of technical measures, stoppages and closures.
The main patron of the Brotherhood of Formentera, Iván Pérez, explained to La Voz de Ibiza that, for now, the sector prefers not to rush: “We must wait for the moment. The proposal of 10 days are the days of departure. Then you have to negotiate.
Expectation to maintain a level of activity similar to this year’s level
The difference between the “days out” set by Brussels and the actual days that the fleet finally works arises from a system of compensations and technical measures that allows the initial figure to be extended. The European Union usually sets a very low limit -this year, 10 days out as a starting point-, but the regulation foresees that, if the sector applies more selective gear, respects closed areas or introduces environmental improvements, it can recover days to get closer to its usual activity.
A clear example was the last campaign. Perez detailed that in 2025 the fleet started from an initial framework of 105 days, but that, once the flexibility mechanisms were added, the vessels were finally able to work with a total of between 125 and 130 days. “It is true that we start from 10 days, but adding technical measures, stoppages and closed areas, I guess that will give us the same days as this year,” he said.
The skipper stressed that the figure announced by Brussels does not yet reflect the actual activity, but a base that is subsequently adjusted at the Council of Fisheries Ministers.
Clear limit: no less days
Although the confraternity avoids alarming, the underlying message is firm: “If they give us fewer days it will be a disaster. It would be to give up and drop everything.”
Perez recalled that fishing in Formentera, highly regulated and with a strong local value, cannot sustain its economic chain with fewer working days, and that a cut below the levels of 2025 would directly impact on boats, fish markets and marketing.
Unlike the Parliament, which has raised the political tone against European regulatory pressure, Formentera fishermen prefer to wait for negotiations, although they share the institutional concern about the future of fishing effort. The sector is confident that the final result will be close to what was worked on this year, but assumes that any additional setback would put the activity at real risk.
