The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, has announced the expansion of sustainable investment grants for fishing vessels, increasing from the initial 200,000 euros to 1.3 million euros. He made this announcement during his visit to the Almería Fish Market, where he met with representatives of the fishing sector to address their concerns.
This call from the Andalusian government will finance up to 83% of the installation of fly doors, a technology that reduces environmental impact and is «essential» for the trawling fleet to recover fishing days following the cuts imposed by the European Union.
«Andalusia is the first autonomous community to activate these grants and the one that finances the highest percentage. While the Spanish government promised 100% and did not deliver, the Junta is taking a step forward and making it a reality,» the minister stated.
During the meeting with representatives of the Andalusian fishing sector, Fernández-Pacheco conveyed the feedback from a recent meeting with the European Fisheries Commissioner, Costas Kadis, in which Andalusia requested «more sensitivity towards Mediterranean fishing, more European funds, and greater flexibility in their application.»
Accompanied by the Government Delegate of the Junta in Almería, Arancha Martín, and the territorial delegate of the ministry in Almería, Antonio Mena, the minister reiterated the Junta de Andalucía’s support for the sector’s complaints regarding the presence of foreign fleets using illegal fishing methods in the waters around the Island of Alborán. He also mentioned the recent call for grants worth 6.37 million euros to compensate for temporary stops in the fishing sector in 2025. The aim of these grants is to mitigate the economic losses caused by the temporary interruption of fishing activities, while promoting sustainable management of fishing resources.
«The Junta de Andalucía will continue to firmly defend the interests of our fishermen,» concluded Fernández-Pacheco.
The meeting was attended by José María Gallart, President of the Andalusian Federation of Fishing Associations (FAAPE); Ángeles Cayuela, President of the Andalusian Association of Women in the Fishing Sector (ANDMUPES); Pedro Ruiz and Juan Belmonte from Carbopesca; Vicente González, head fisherman of the Fishermen’s Guild of Carboneras; and Gregorio Jerez and José Rosa from the Fishermen’s Guild of Garrucha.
