The European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, has visited the fish auction hall in Palma as part of a series of meetings promoted by the regional government to present the current situation of the Balearic fishing sector. The visit was attended by the Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, the Secretary General for Fisheries of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Isabel Artime, and the Director General for Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau.
During the tour of the facilities, the delegation observed the fish auction process first-hand, allowing the Commissioner to gain insight into the Dutch-style bidding system and to express his interest in the quality and value of locally caught fish marketed on a daily basis.
The programme continued with a meeting with professional fishers at the headquarters of Opmallorcamar, where representatives of the sector outlined their main concerns regarding European fisheries regulations. A key issue raised was the need for EU legislation to properly reflect the insular nature of the Balearic Islands, which creates specific economic and operational conditions distinct from other Mediterranean regions.
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European Commissioner for Fisheries visits Palma fish market and Pere Garau market to hear first-hand the Balearic sector’s concerns
Fishers also highlighted two specific challenges: the requirement to declare catches four hours before entering port and the regulatory instability caused by annual changes decided at the European level. In this regard, the sector called for a clear and stable regulatory framework with predefined fishing days to reduce uncertainty and safeguard long-term viability.
The Commissioner also had the opportunity to examine the fishing gear and nets commonly used by local fleets and to learn about the daily working routines and operational realities faced by professional fishers in the islands.
The visit to Mallorca concluded at the Pere Garau Market, one of Palma’s most emblematic municipal markets. During the walk-through, Kadis spoke with fishmongers, who explained consumer demand patterns, the distinctive qualities of local fish and seafood, and the impact of fishing restrictions, which in some cases lead to reduced supply and temporary closures.
Through these visits, the Commissioner gained a comprehensive overview of the entire Balearic fisheries value chain, from harvesting and auctioning to final retail distribution, as well as the challenges encountered at each stage.
Regional Minister Joan Simonet described the two-day visit as highly positive, stressing the importance of conveying the specific needs and challenges of the Balearic fishing sector to European decision-makers. He also highlighted the Balearic model of fisheries co-management, which actively involves fishers in governance and promotes a more sustainable and shared-responsibility approach.
In closing, Simonet expressed his appreciation for the Commissioner’s engagement and for the constructive cooperation with the national authorities, noting Kadis’s commitment to listening to the sector and assessing its concerns in order to align European fisheries regulations more closely with the real needs of fishing in the Balearic Islands.