Spanish Fishing Sector: Fleet Trends and EU Policy

Demographics of the Spanish Fishing Population

The population engaged in maritime fishing is estimated at just over 68,000 people, joining the 14,500 dedicated to marine aquaculture. Less than 1% of the total national population comprises the active northwestern regions. Almost one-third of the total, 25,710 Galician fishermen, are aboard, along with almost all of the 30,000 dedicated to marisqueo (shellfish gathering).

Regional Trends and Shifts

Another significant change has happened in the South Mediterranean region with a decrease of 50%. The Levantine region remains stable in personnel. By contrast, the Tramontana and Canary regions have seen their rates rise because of an increased artisanal fleet. In the Canary region, the fishing population remains stable.

The Evolution of the Spanish Fishing Fleet

The number of boats is difficult to pin down, as they are continually scrapping many of them and launching new ones. Since its entry into the EU, Spain has reduced its fleet by 50%, although catch capacity has been reduced only by between 20% and 25% because the new boats have a greater capture capacity.

EU Sustainability and Modernization

As there is real danger that fisheries are depleted, the EU is promoting the reduction of the number of vessels and their fishing capacity. Furthermore, the EU facilitated the replacement of small boats by new large-tonnage and high-capacity industrial capture vessels.

Challenges in Spanish and EU Waters

Since entering "Blue Europe," Spain had to submit to its fishing policy. It had to reduce the number of vessels and fishing capacity, as did other countries. The EU regulates production in EU waters regarding both the number of species and the tonnes allocated to each country. Security in Irish waters, those of Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands waters are not considered.

International Agreements and Non-Community Waters

Access to Community waters upon joining the EU is negotiated. Possible fishing agreements with other countries take three forms:

• Barter of goods and granting of fishing rights in exchange for trade concessions.
• Concession of fishing rights in exchange for financial assistance by the EU.
• Technical assistance provided by the EU in exchange for rights.

Economic Performance and Production Metrics

Spanish production is summarized as follows: The performance of fishing production can be measured in two ways:

1. The ratio between the weight of the catch and labor used.
2. The relation between the value of the catch and weight.

As for the relationship of catch/labor used in Spain, the yield is about 13 tons per fisherman per year. In terms of value/weight, deep-sea and high-seas fisheries, especially the latter, represent 70% of economic value and 66% of fish landed.