After two days of intense negotiations, EU fisheries ministers have agreed on new fishing quotas for 2025. The compromise aims to protect overfished stocks in the Mediterranean while supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities.
Reduced Fishing Days for Trawlers in Key Regions
Ministers agreed to reduce fishing efforts for trawlers targeting demersal species — fish that live near the seabed — in Spanish, French, and Italian waters. These reductions are crucial, as 60% of demersal stocks in the Western Mediterranean are overfished, and 80% fall below sustainability thresholds.
The European Commission initially proposed a 79% reduction in fishing days by 2025, limiting trawlers to just 27 viable fishing days. After significant debate, the final agreement established:
- A 66% reduction in Spanish and French waters
- A 38% reduction in Italian and French waters
Hungarian minister István Nagy, who led the discussions, acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations but praised the constructive outcome. French minister Fabrice Loher described the deal as essential for the future of Mediterranean fisheries.
Compensation Mechanism Offers Flexibility
To balance conservation with industry needs, the agreement allows countries to maintain their 2024 fishing levels if they adopt additional management measures. These include:
- Using improved mesh sizes
- Implementing seasonal closures
- Adopting selective fishing gear
Spain and Italy announced they plan to use these measures to retain their current fishing days. Spain believes that applying just two of the measures will suffice, while Italy will explore compensation options.
Quotas for Key Species Also Reduced
In addition to reducing fishing efforts, the agreement introduces quota cuts for specific species:
- Blue and red shrimp quotas reduced by 10% in Spanish and French waters
- Blue and red shrimp quotas reduced by 6% in Italian and French waters
- Giant red shrimp quotas lowered by 6% in Italian and French waters
Mixed Reactions from Environmental Groups
Environmental group Oceana welcomed the reductions but expressed concerns about the compensation mechanism. Policy advisor Giulia Guadagnoli warned that granting extra fishing days to trawlers could undermine the agreement’s sustainability goals.
This compromise represents a delicate balance between preserving fish stocks and supporting Mediterranean fishing industries.