The Parliament of the Balearic Islands on Thursday unanimously approved a Proposition not of law (PNL) that calls on the European Union to urgently review the current system of limiting days of effort, a regulation that, according to the guilds warn, is seriously jeopardizing the economic viability of much of the Balearic fleet. The proposal, presented by the Socialist Group, received the support of all the groups in the Economy Commission.
The deputy for Formentera, Llorenç Córdoba, stressed that the Community regulations should “serve to protect the sea, not to force fishermen to abandon their activity”, and regretted that the current application “is suffocating the Balearic fleet and an important part of the Spanish fishing sector”.
A sector under pressure after years of cutbacks
Since 2019, the Balearic guilds have chained successive reductions of days of activity, in addition to closures, temporary stoppages and technical requirements that have been limiting their operating margin. Cordoba recalled that several cofradias have already warned that the proposals that Brussels is studying for 2025 make it impossible to sustain the activity with a minimum of profitability and continuity.
Institutional concern is focused on the possibility that the cutback will increase again, following a trend that the sector considers increasingly difficult to bear.
What the Parliament is asking for
The approved PNL requests the central government:
- A review of the current system of effort days, so as to introduce greater flexibility and adapt the limits to the reality of each territory.
- Effective recognition of insularity, given the greater economic weight of fishing in the islands and their higher operating costs.
- Simplifying access to European fisheries funds (FEMPA) so that aid really reaches small vessels, fishermen’s associations and young people who want to enter the sector.
Cordoba valued the unanimous agreement reached: “That all parties have voted the same sends a clear message: the Balearic Islands speaks with one voice when it comes to defending fisheries.” The deputy said he will follow up “demanding and constructive” compliance with the PNL, and reiterated that the defense of the sea and those who live from the sea “must always go together.”
