First Meeting of the Co-Management Commission for Recreational Fishing in the Balearic Islands Held

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, inaugurated the first meeting of the Co-Management Commission for Recreational Fishing in the Balearic Islands.

This public participation body, which has informative and consultative functions and includes various sector representatives, was created last January with the aim of improving the governance of this activity and promoting the participation of this collective in the management of recreational fishing to ensure sustainability and the conservation of marine resources. "When we began the legislature, one of the demands of the recreational fishing sector was that they were not well informed and did not feel heard by the Administration. Therefore, today is an important day, as this first meeting represents another step by this government to address the neglect this collective has experienced in recent years," Simonet emphasized.

In addition to the minister, the meeting, chaired by the Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, included representatives from the island councils, as well as the main federations, associations, and entities of the fishing sector in the Balearic Islands. In this initial gathering, the sector's main concerns were addressed. The first topic discussed was the implications of the European Regulation 2023/2842, dated November 22, particularly the issue of catch data registration. It was highlighted that better management of fishing largely depends on good data collection, which is easier when the sector is effectively involved in decision-making.

"Co-management models provide much more information and create a climate of trust and respect that allows for quicker, more fluid, and cordial responses compared to traditional management models. Hence, based on the experience of the Directorate General of Fisheries in data collection in marine reserves, the Co-Management Commission has agreed that the Government will anticipate the provisions of the European Regulation and that the Balearic data collection program will be applied to all waters of the archipelago, starting with the internal waters," Simonet explained.

Another topic discussed was the amendment of Decree 34/2014, dated August 1, concerning the controversy over dynamic positioning devices, which will now be limited exclusively to marine reserves. Additionally, based on a proposal from the Mallorcan Association of Responsible Fishing, the possibility of maintaining a minimum size of 30 cm for the greater amberjack throughout the year, rather than until September 15, was considered. This initiative aligns with the recent Decree 29/2024 on purse seine fishing and is based on the 2023 experience, where the high sea temperatures accelerated the growth of greater amberjack, resulting in the absence of small fish by September.

Finally, and also at the sector's request, the feasibility of setting daily catch quotas for the more commercially valuable fish species (similar to what is done with cephalopods) was discussed to facilitate inspection work and prevent potential abuses from the use of dynamic positioning devices. A committee of experts has been established to make proposals to the Directorate General of Fisheries.

In conclusion, Grau reiterated the importance of recreational marine fishing, "which has a long tradition in the Balearic Islands and is a leisure activity enjoyed by tens of thousands of enthusiasts. Additionally, it should not be forgotten that it generates significant economic and commercial activity." The Director General of Fisheries also emphasized that "recreational fishers are concerned about the conservation and health of marine resources, so they can contribute to both ecosystem preservation and species data collection and monitoring."