Spain benefits the most from EU Fisheries Agreements

“Beyond the fishing interest”, the Minister said, “they’re an instrument of cooperation and extension of the European model of sustainable fishing, based on scientific evaluation of the available stocks and their reproduction, as well fighting IUU”.

There are currently 12 SFPAs with protocols in force, or pending entry into force (Fig. 1). In total, they offer fishing opportunities to some 250 Spanish-flagged vessels and approximately 2,500 crewmembers.

                    Fig. 1. The EU has 12 agreements in force and 5 “dormant” protocols

EU-Morocco Agreement

Among the so-called mixed agreements, the EU-Morocco Agreement (Fig. 2) is particularly emblematic for the Spanish sector, on which a large of artisanal fleets in the Gulf of Cádiz and the Canary Islands depend, also benefiting Galician vessels.

This new protocol is very important, since, of 138 possible fishing licenses, 93 correspond to Spain. As of August 2, 2019, 41 licenses have been issued out of 42 requested.

                    Fig. 2. Impact of Morocco Agreement in Spain

Tuna Agreements

Another type of agreements important for Spain are the tuna agreements (Fig. 3), species which had a value market of €250 million in 2018.

                    Fig. 3. Impact of Tuna Agreements in Spain

Spain as a fishing power

These agreements are essential instruments for maintaining the activity of the Spanish fishing fleet, which with its 9,000 vessels is ranked as the leading power at the EU level and one of the main worldwide.

                    Fig. 4. Spain is a fishing power

Source: Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación