Rejection and uncertainty surround the entry into force of the New recreational fishing regulation

On January 10th, a new regulation issued by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will come into force, requiring all recreational fishers to declare their catches through an official mobile application. The measure has sparked widespread discontent and confusion among recreational anglers, who see fishing as a way to disconnect, not as an activity subject to constant digital monitoring.

Less than a month before its implementation, the regulation continues to raise serious questions. Many anglers are still unaware of which species must be declared and which are exempt, and concerns have been raised regarding the legality of a measure that would require all recreational fishers to head out to sea with a mobile device and, consequently, be geolocated through an app that would remain active throughout the entire fishing trip.

Until now, catch reporting could be done manually using the so-called “catch log sheet.” The new regulation not only eliminates this option but also imposes the mandatory use of a specific mobile application, making fishing trips more difficult for people who are less familiar with new technologies.

“This measure complicates life for many older people who simply want to go fishing and enjoy the sea,” says Diego Alcalde, president of the Pereyna Recreational Fishing Association. In fact, this requirement is already leading some anglers to consider using basic, non-smart mobile phones during their fishing trips. “Some have already decided to go back to phones without internet access to avoid this digital obligation and will continue using the traditional catch log,” he explains.

Alcalde argues that the regulation undermines the very essence of recreational fishing: “It’s like going out into the countryside to pick mushrooms or asparagus and being geolocated the entire time. We’re not talking about professional or commercial fishing. These are leisure outings, making the most of a bit of free time, disconnecting from everything, and catching fish for family consumption.” He adds that if the goal of the regulation is to conduct scientific studies on the state of the sea and fish stocks, authorities should instead “carry out campaigns at different times of the year and accompany recreational fishers on their outings to see what they actually catch.”

One of the most confusing aspects of the regulation is the list of species that must be declared. “It’s a national regulation, but it’s unclear how each Autonomous Community will apply it. The problem is that there’s a list of species that, at first glance, seems to affect offshore fishing rather than nearshore anglers, species found at greater depths. However, in fishing reserves, where recreational fishing with dead bait is actually permitted, all captured species must be declared,” he explains.

With the regulation’s entry into force imminent, dissatisfaction and uncertainty among recreational fishers across Spain have continued to grow. As a result, the sector has already begun to mobilize and submit formal objections.

The president of the Pereyna Recreational Fishing Association is calling on politicians and public administration technicians to adopt a more collaborative approach. “They need to be closer to us and work hand in hand with the sector, instead of imposing aggressive measures that only prevent recreational fishers from enjoying their leisure time at sea.”