Approval of the decree regulating sea fishing and shellfishing in Natura 2000 Network areas

The Consell de Govern has approved the decree regulating sea fishing and shellfishing in the areas that make up the Natura 2000 European ecological network declared by the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands so that the entire Natura 2000 network has exactly the same fishing regulations. This will make it easier for the administrations to apply them and for interested parties to comply with them.

In this sense, when this decree comes into force, if it is a marine reserve, the regulations for marine reserves will be applied if they are more restrictive. As for recreational fishing, the same regulations will apply as outside the network. In the case of small-scale fishing, from February to July, measures will be applied to prevent the accidental capture of ‘virots’; for gillnets, a maximum time at sea of 24 hours will be set and all remains of coralline algae will have to be quickly returned to the sea.

Regarding trawling, where possible (due to depth, distance from the coast and type of bottom), vessels will have to carry pelagic doors. In addition, adaptation periods of two (longline) and five (trawl) years will be established to adapt to the regulations.

The Consell de Govern has also approved the specific modification of four more decrees. In this way, Decree 22/2016, of the 22nd of April, which regulates the measures for the diversification of the fishing and aquaculture sectors of the Balearic Islands (Fishing Tourism), is modified. In this sense, it will allow compulsory insurance to be the same as that provided for in the state regulations.

Decree 22/2018, of the 6th of July, which regulates the landing, first sale, traceability and control of fishery products in the archipelago, is also modified. Thus, the value of the maximum purchase at the points of first sale is increased from 50 to 300 euros, provided that it is for own consumption. The aim is to facilitate direct sales to private individuals.

As for Decree 55/2022, of 19 December, which regulates professional, extractive, scientific and public service diving in maritime and continental waters of the Balearic Islands, the modification is justified in order to promote marine scientific research, thus facilitating the practice of scientific diving through the presentation of a certificate accrediting experience.

Lastly, it has been approved to modify Decree 19/2019, of 15th of March, which establishes the Pluri-island Management Plan for fishing with traditional fishing gear in the Balearic Islands. In this sense, the ‘jonquillo’ season will be able to start on Monday the 18th of December, thus complying with the conditions established by the European Commission.