Planas urges the European Commission to recognise the improvement in fish stocks in the Mediterranean thanks to the success of the measures implemented

At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, which is taking place today and tomorrow in Luxembourg, the Commission presented an initial communication setting out guidelines for fishing opportunities in 2027, which will be negotiated over the coming months with a view to their approval, as is customary, at the December meeting. Planas highlighted the favourable status of fish stocks in Iberian waters and the Bay of Biscay, which is the result of sound management based on the stability and economic viability of the sector - an approach that must be sustained.

However, he drew attention to the fact that the analysis regarding the Mediterranean fails to explicitly reflect the progress achieved. Nevertheless, the Minister cautioned that positions cannot be finalised until scientific reports on the status of the various fishing grounds and species become available.

The minister also reminded the European Commission of the need to urgently review the Western Mediterranean fisheries regulation, a request jointly put forward by Spain, France and Italy, which the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, undertook to carry out last December. According to Planas, this is a much-needed reform to take account of the mixed nature of fisheries in the Mediterranean, to ensure that the sector as a whole is not constrained by the status of the most vulnerable species (hake)-as is currently the case-and to align the management framework with the realities of the fleets operating in the Mediterranean. The Commission recently launched a consultation to initiate the review process.

Regarding next year's fishing opportunities, the minister reiterated that any decisions taken must be based on the most up-to-date scientific information and must take into account the socio-economic impact they may have. Furthermore, Spain will advocate for prioritising selectivity measures over reductions in fishing effort days.

He also emphasised the value of extending multi-year quotas and Total Allowable Catches (TACs) to more species-an initiative begun during Spain's rotating presidency in the second half of 2023-as these measures provide the fleet with greater predictability and stability.

The minister pointed out that the guidelines for the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) must also aim to consolidate compensatory measures that contribute both to the conservation of species and to the profitability of the fishing industry.

He went on to explain that, in the 10 years since the CFP was introduced, significant progress has been made in terms of sustainability, with the majority of species now at their Maximum Sustainable Yield. However, in future, the CFP must place greater emphasis on the other two components of sustainability - economic and social - in addition to the environmental one. "We have looked after the fish, and now we must look after the fishermen," said Planas, emphasising that any measures devised must be aimed at increasing the fleet's profitability.

The minister acknowledged the progress made in negotiations for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, noting that the initial CFP budget proposal has doubled from €2 billion to €4 billion; however, he warned that this remains insufficient. He stressed that the negotiating goal is to maintain at least the current period's budget of €6.1 billion-a target that remains a long way off. Spain is the main recipient of these funds, receiving €1.12 billion-almost one-fifth of the total.

Planas has also once again called for the new EU framework to include specific funds to undertake the modernisation and renewal of the fishing fleet, one of the sector's main challenges, with a view to achieving vessels that are more sustainable, safer and more comfortable, thereby helping to encourage generational replacement, one of the most pressing challenges facing the sector.

Non official translation