Palma brings together fishermen, scientists and public authorities to discuss the future of fishing

The regional minister highlights the fact that the sector itself, through the Mallorca Fisheries Local Action Group (GALP Mallorca), is driving the event focused on sustainability and the future of fishing.

The Balearic Islands’ Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, inaugurated the 2nd Palma Sustainable Fishing Conference this Thursday, October 1st. Organised by the Mallorca Fisheries Local Action Group (GALP Mallorca), the event brings together fishermen, scientists, public authorities and organisations linked to the sea at the Port Centre in Palma on October 1st and 2nd to address the sector’s main challenges.

During the opening ceremony, Simonet particularly highlighted the fact that the fishing sector itself, through GALP Mallorca, is driving a conference focused on sustainability. “Those who make their living from the sea have the greatest interest in protecting it. That is why we believe fishermen should have an increasingly prominent role in decisions concerning the management of resources,” he said.

The minister stressed that this is the model advocated by the Balearic Government: management based on sector participation, scientific knowledge and co-management. “It is not about making decisions from an office and then communicating them to the sector. Fishermen know the sea, they know how resources have evolved, and they must participate in decisions about their management,” Simonet said.

This approach is also part of the Balearic Government’s Marine Conservation Plan, which includes 28 measures across eight areas and aims to maintain or restore the good condition of marine ecosystems while making conservation compatible with activities that depend on the sea. The plan specifically provides for the involvement of sectors with strong links to the marine environment, including fishing.

The Director General for Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, also took part in the conference with a presentation on the Marine Conservation Plan, outlining the measures that have already been implemented.

During his presentation, Grau reviewed initiatives related to fishing. Currently, 90% of the professional fishing fleet in the Balearic Islands is covered by co-management plans. The Marine Conservation Plan sets the target of reaching 100% by 2030.

The Director General also referred to the Trawl Fishing Plan, which the sector is developing together with WWF and scientists from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), as well as the Artisanal Fishing Plan for the Bays of Alcúdia and Pollença. In addition, the regional ministry is working with the sector and Calant Xarxes on a certification system for establishments serving local, legally caught and sustainable fish.

Simonet also emphasised the economic and social dimension of fishing. “We need a healthy sea and fishery resources with a future, but we also need fishermen to be able to continue making a living from their work. One cannot be understood without the other,” he said.

In this regard, the Marine Conservation Plan is based on the need for fisheries management to take into account not only the condition of resources, but also the economic, social and cultural reality surrounding the fishing industry. The Balearic Government considers the involvement of fishing guilds and the sector as a whole essential to advancing conservation commitments.

The 2nd Palma Sustainable Fishing Conference includes a range of presentations, round-table discussions and workshops over the two days addressing some of the sector’s main challenges. The first day covers topics including marine conservation, devices designed to reduce accidental shark catches, responsible consumption of Balearic seafood, fishermen’s own experiences, collaborative fisheries science and projects promoted by GALP Mallorca.

Friday’s programme will focus particularly on generational renewal and the marketing of fish in Mallorca, two of the challenges shaping the future of the sector. Collaboration between fishermen and scientists will also be discussed, along with experiences and projects developed by different Fisheries Local Action Groups.

Simonet thanked GALP Mallorca for organising the conference and stressed the importance of creating spaces where the sector, scientists and public authorities can share experiences and jointly develop future measures.

“Conservation is more effective when the sector participates and takes ownership of it. Events like this demonstrate that fishermen should not only be part of this process, but can also play a leading role,” he concluded.