Minister Luis Planas tells the fishing sector that he foresees stability in the Atlantic and rejects further cuts in days in the Mediterranean

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has met with representatives of the fishing and aquaculture sector to analyze the negotiations of the coming months in the European Union, with special attention to the total allowable catches and quotas for 2027, the future Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Spanish Fishing Confederation (Cepesca), the National Federation of Fishermen's Guilds (FNCP), and the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (Apromar), as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Negotiations on quotas and catches

Looking ahead to the next four-month period, Planas informed the sector that the Government foresees stability for the main Atlantic fisheries, in a context he described as a good global situation for the main species. However, he warned that the Executive would remain attentive to the evolution of some specific negotiations.

Regarding mackerel, the minister stated: "We will closely follow the negotiations on mackerel," and linked this vigilance to the lack of consensus among the countries participating in that fishery. In parallel, regarding the agreement with the United Kingdom, he indicated that Spain would try to obtain the best possible quota for northern hake.

The Spanish position in the Mediterranean

In relation to the Mediterranean, Luis Planas stressed that the selectivity and sustainability measures advocated by Spain have been adopted by the Spanish fleet, and thanked them for their involvement because, he said, "they are working."

The minister added that the Government expects scientific reports to confirm the recovery of resources and set the Spanish position for the next negotiation: "we hope that scientific reports confirm the recovery of resources" and, in that scenario, "we will not accept new reductions in fishing days that could jeopardize the profitability of the sector."

Funding, regulations, and upcoming issues

During the meeting, Planas also reported on the negotiations of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 and the future Common Fisheries Policy. As he conveyed, Spain demands sufficient funding for the sector and a greater balance between environmental sustainability and the economic and social profitability of fishing activity.

The minister also referred to the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East on the main productive sectors and recalled, in that context, the Government's aid to fishing diesel.

The meeting also served to address other open files for the sector, including the upcoming revision of the Western Mediterranean Plan, the modification of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and several national regulatory projects related to fisheries control, resource management and professional qualifications.