Balear Fishing Fleet Stops in Protest Against European Regulation
On Monday, the sea off the Balearic Islands will be unusually quiet. The local fishing fleet has decided to stop all its activity and remain in port as a protest measure. The reason is a new European Union regulation that, according to professionals, puts their way of working at risk. 🚢⚓
A Regulation Considered Unfeasible for Day-to-Day Operations
The Balearic fishing sector expresses deep dissatisfaction. The European regulation, designed to control marine resources, requires boats to report several hours in advance their estimated return time and the amount of fish they carry. Fishermen argue that this is impossible to comply with reliably.
Reasons for Unfeasibility:- The unpredictable nature of fishing, subject to weather, sea conditions, and fish locations.
- The impossibility of predicting catches before finishing the work and retrieving the gear.
- The bureaucratic burden it adds to an activity that already operates with tight margins and intense rhythms.
"We can't guess what the sea will give us. Demanding this data in advance shows a lack of understanding of our work," explain sector sources.
The Stoppage as a Pressure Tool
With this protest, the fishermen seek more than visibility. Their goal is to pressure administrations, both Spanish and European, to review the application of this rule. Monday's stoppage demonstrates the sector's unity and determination to defend its model.
What the Fishing Sector Seeks:- Initiate a constructive dialogue with authorities to explain the practical reality of their trade.
- Find viable alternatives that allow controlling fishing without hindering daily work at sea.
- Achieve legislation that adapts to real conditions in the Mediterranean, different from other fishing grounds.
A Mediterranean on Forced Pause
While the boats remain docked, an unusual scene is created. The constant hum of engines disappears, leaving a silence that speaks for itself. This protest is not only about paperwork and deadli