The Balearic Government defends at MEDAC a European fisheries policy adapted to Island realities

Regional Minister Joan Simonet calls for co-management, marine conservation and recognition of the specific features of the Balearic fishing ground in the debate on the future reform of European regulations.

The Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, today defended in Palma the need for future European fisheries policy to take into account the particular characteristics of Mediterranean fishing and island territories. He did so during the opening of the forum of the Mediterranean Advisory Council (MEDAC), the European Commission’s main advisory body on fisheries in the Mediterranean.

The forum, taking place today, Tuesday 16th of June, and tomorrow, Wednesday 17th of June, in Palma, brings together representatives of the professional fishing sector, environmental organisations, the scientific community and public administrations from the Mediterranean countries of the European Union to discuss the main future challenges facing Mediterranean fisheries.

The forum is organised by the Balearic Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds, chaired by Domingo Bonnín, with the collaboration of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment. The meeting is attended by representatives of Mediterranean fisheries administrations, the professional sector, the scientific community and environmental organisations. Among those present are the Director General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Andalusia, Carlos Aldereguia Prado; the Director General for Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries of Catalonia, Itziar Segarra Díaz; the MEDAC coordinator, Gian Ludovico Ceccaroni; and the president of UNACOMAR, the National Union of Sea Cooperatives, Antonio Marzoa. Scientific and environmental organisations such as IMEDEA, WWF Spain and Oceana are also taking part, among others.

During his speech, Simonet highlighted the importance of Palma once again hosting a meeting of this kind after several years without such an event being held in the Balearic Islands.

“Fishing is part of our history, our culture and the identity of many coastal communities in the Balearic Islands. Precisely for this reason, islands like ours cannot afford to remain on the sidelines of the major debates that will shape the future of Mediterranean fisheries,” he said.

The regional minister recalled that the five Spanish Mediterranean autonomous communities recently submitted a joint proposal to the European Commission and the European Parliament to adapt EU regulations to the reality of Mediterranean fishing. This initiative forms part of the European debate on the revision of fisheries management rules, known as the Omnibus proposal, which is one of MEDAC’s main areas of work.

In this regard, Simonet defended regulations that recognise the specific characteristics of Mediterranean coastal fishing, simplify certain administrative obligations and promote governance models that are closer to the reality of ports and fishermen’s guilds.

“We are not asking for exceptions or privileges. We are asking for the rules to take into account the reality of Mediterranean fishing and the differences that exist between territories and fishing grounds,” he stated.

The regional minister also highlighted the experience of the Balearic Islands in fisheries co-management, a model involving the administration, the fishing sector, the scientific community and social organisations in shared decision-making on the management of marine resources.

At present, more than 80% of the Balearic professional fleet participates in some form of co-management body, an experience Simonet presented as a benchmark for good governance across the Mediterranean.

He also emphasised the Balearic Islands’ commitment to marine conservation. In this regard, he recalled that nearly 25% of the coastal waters of the Balearic Islands are protected under some specific form of marine conservation designation, and that approximately half of the marine area forms part of the Natura 2000 Network.

The regional minister also underlined the promotion of the Government’s Marine Conservation Plan and defended the idea that protecting marine ecosystems is compatible with maintaining a viable professional fishing activity.

“Marine conservation is not the problem; it is part of the solution. Protecting the sea also means protecting the future of fishermen,” he said.

During his speech, Simonet also stressed the singular nature of the Balearic fishing ground, which is part of GSA 5, and highlighted that the efforts made in recent years by fishermen, scientists and administrations have helped improve various biological indicators and consolidate the Balearic Islands as one of the best-preserved areas of the western Mediterranean.

Finally, the regional minister recalled the institutional visit to the Balearic Islands by the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, last February, during which the Government conveyed to the European Commission the need to continue moving towards fisheries policies adapted to island and Mediterranean realities.

Today’s MEDAC session includes, among other issues, the debate on the revision of European fisheries management rules, the Omnibus proposal, fishing opportunities for 2027 and different examples of good practices in sustainability and fisheries governance.

Over the two-day event, participants will analyse strategic issues for the future of Mediterranean fisheries, such as the revision of European fisheries management rules, fishing opportunities for 2027, co-management, the sustainability of marine resources and the role of the different actors involved in fisheries governance.

The second day of MEDAC will continue tomorrow with several sessions devoted to fisheries governance, co-management and the future challenges of Mediterranean fisheries. Regional Minister Joan Simonet will take part in different debate sessions to share the experience of the Balearic Islands in co-management and marine conservation, as well as the Government’s position on the future reform of European fisheries regulations.