The Recreational Fishing Co-management Commission agrees to increase minimum sizes and modify season

Among other issues, the implementation of the decree on charter fishing and the proposal for new minimum sizes and quotas for recreational fishing of some high-value species were addressed.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Environment convened yesterday, December 18th, the second meeting of the Recreational Fishing Co-management Commission in the Balearic Islands. During the event, chaired by the Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, new regulations were discussed, particularly the entry into force and the initial effects of the approval of Decree 45/2024, of October 18, on recreational maritime charter fishing, and the amendment of Decree 34/2014, of August 1, regarding the use of dynamic positioning equipment. Additionally, the proposal for new minimum sizes and quotas for recreational fishing of some high-value species was discussed based on the conclusions proposed by the Commission of Experts to the Directorate General of Fisheries. Thus, the minimum size of scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa) is increased from 25 to 30 cm, and that of amberjack (Seriola dumerili), from 30 to 35 cm, throughout the year, and the seasonal closure is eliminated.

A maximum daily quota has also been set for all modes of recreational fishing for sea bass, gilthead bream, and groupers, and it was agreed not to modify the quota for the rest of the species discussed at the first meeting (in particular, raores and scorpionfish).

Proposals have also been approved to advance the seasonal closure of the raor (Xyrichthys novacula) by one day, only for 2025, so that it falls on a Sunday, and to include a representative of the Balearic Fishermen's Association (APIB) as a member of the Fisheries Council. Additionally, the Commission used the meeting to express its unanimous support for the professional fishing sector of the Balearic Islands.

Finally, the Co-management Commission was informed of the conclusions from the first meeting of the Expert Group on Elasmobranchs, particularly those affecting recreational fishing, and the advisability of avoiding the deliberate capture and death of this type of fish.

The Director General of Fisheries reminded that this public participation body, with informative and advisory functions and comprising various representatives of the sector, was created this year with the aim of improving the governance of this activity and promoting the participation of this group in the conservation of marine resources and the management of recreational fishing to ensure its sustainability. "With the first meeting last June and this new meeting today, the commitment of the Government to continue working with this group and to address the situation of neglect it has been in recent years is demonstrated once again. It was one of the demands of the recreational fishing sector, as they assured us that they were not sufficiently informed and did not feel listened to by the Administration."

Grau took the opportunity again to emphasize the importance of recreational maritime fishing, a leisure activity with tens of thousands of enthusiasts that has a great tradition in the Balearic Islands: "It is a practice that not only provides direct contact of the population with the natural environment but also generates significant economic and commercial movement that should not be underestimated." Additionally, the Director General added that "mostly, recreational fishermen are concerned about the conservation and health of marine resources, making it a group that can contribute both to the preservation of ecosystems and to the collection of data and monitoring of species."