The Government simplifies diving rules to cut red tape and support activity

The Consell de Govern has approved a decree regulating fishermen’s guilds and their federations in the Balearic Islands and, separately, simplifying diving regulations.

According to Government spokesperson Antoni Costa, speaking at the press conference following the Consell de Govern, the new regulation updates a legal framework that has been in force for more than 30 years and adapts its organisation and operation to the sector’s new challenges.

The decree regulating fishermen’s guilds and their federations was approved in 1995. However, the Balearic Government explained that the passage of time, particularly technological and administrative changes, has made some aspects of the regulations obsolete.

Accordingly, the new decree seeks to address issues arising in the day-to-day operation of fishermen’s guilds, particularly with regard to administrative simplification and electronic administration.

At the same time, the regulation establishes a sufficient legal framework to enable the guilds to address changes taking place in the fisheries sector, particularly in terms of their organisational structure and internal operations, while remaining subject to the principles of legality, equality, accounting transparency and internal democracy.

These principles are the fundamental pillars that will allow the guilds to continue operating as sound and competitive organisations, the Government stressed.

The overarching and fundamental aim of the new regulation is to modernise the structure of the archipelago’s 16 fishermen’s guilds and their federation, making them more functional and better adapted to current needs.

It also aims to promote the integration of innovative measures through collaboration between the guilds and scientific organisations.

The new decree amends three regulations relating to scuba diving, in all cases with the aim of reducing bureaucracy and facilitating economic activity for businesses.

The Balearic Government has emphasised that diving, in all its forms, is an important maritime activity in the Islands. Basic safety regulations fall under the responsibility of the Spanish State, while the Balearic Government has regulatory powers in this area.

Firstly, drawing on experience gained from managing the different types of diving activity, Decree 55/2020 of the 19th of December, which regulates professional, extractive, scientific and public-service diving in maritime and inland waters, is being amended with the aim of eliminating unnecessary procedures and facilitating scientific activity.

Secondly, Decree 14/2014 of the 14th of March, which establishes the general principles governing recreational diving in the autonomous community, is being amended to simplify procedures, promote the use of responsible declarations, adapt the regulations to Royal Decree 550/2020 and facilitate the economic activity of diving centres.

Finally, a specific correction is being made to Annex 3 of Decree 26/2025 of the 4th of July, which established the Marine Reserve of the Western Islands of Mallorca, El Toro, Malgrats and El Sec, with the aim of simplifying tourist diving activity around El Toro island.