The strike, called by the sector, denounces that European directives are stifling the primary sector, as they have only encountered legislative restrictions despite efforts made over the last thirty years to ensure the preservation of the marine environment. They demand legislation that considers the unique nature of the Mediterranean Sea.
The new regulations, set to apply starting this year, require fishermen to weigh their catch before arriving at port and to give four hours' notice before returning. These measures are considered impossible to comply with by the fleet, especially in La Ràpita, where about a hundred fishermen sounded their horns in protest.
“"They are drafted in an office by people who have probably never set foot in a port."
Joan Balagué stressed that the La Ràpita fleet, which is not industrial and does not work with quotas, cannot comply with the four-hour notice periods or declare every gram of the many species caught on board. Fishermen demand that the working methods of Mediterranean vessels be understood.
The sector was hopeful that during the meeting with the General Secretariat of Fisheries this Monday afternoon, an agreement could be reached to “exonerate” fishermen from these two obligations, or at least obtain a moratorium, as non-compliance would mean committing continuous infractions. Other issues, such as limiting fishing days for the trawling fleet, also remain pending.
