The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, has highlighted in Conil de la Frontera (Cádiz) the role of artisanal fishing as a «development model that combines tradition and innovation», emphasizing its ability to generate employment, settle population in the territory, and adapt to the challenges of an increasingly global market.
During his visit to the fish market and port of Conil, Fernández-Pacheco has emphasized that «fishing is not just an economic activity, it is part of the essence of what Andalusia is» and has praised the work of the Artisanal Fish Producers Organization Lonja de Conil OPP72, an organization that «has embraced new technologies to compete in a global market and place the species caught here anywhere in our country in just an hour.»
Likewise, he has defended the added value of this activity, which «is not limited solely to fish extraction for commercialization but leaves a footprint on the territory equal to or more important than the catch itself.»
Expansion of the Conil fish market
During the meeting, Fernández-Pacheco has taken on the sector’s demands as his own and reiterated the commitment of the Junta to improve port facilities: «We have discussed the need to improve this fish market where we are today, a commitment that the Andalusian Government must fulfill and, of course, will fulfill.»
Fernández-Pacheco has also echoed the sector’s concerns regarding the Asian algae and the management of red tuna. In this regard, he has advocated for the active role of the Andalusian Government: «The Andalusian Government is the only public administration that has done something so far to combat Asian algae», through specific aid and research conducted by the Ifapa.
Furthermore, he has urged other administrations to act in unity: «If we all stop using Asian algae to throw it in each other’s faces and understand that it is a shared problem that we must tackle, we will be much more effective.»
Regarding red tuna, the minister has been clear: «If there is tuna in the Strait, and we all know there is, it seems reasonable that the sea professionals who fish in these waters should have the right to catch it.»
Fernández-Pacheco concluded his remarks by emphasizing that generational succession will only be possible if the sector’s profitability is guaranteed: «No one will engage in fishing if they believe they will not be able to support their family. The activity must be profitable.»
Support for OPP72
The Andalusian Government has allocated more than 1.5 million euros to support the work of OPP72 since 2023 to develop pioneering projects such as the recovery of marine ecosystems, food traceability through QR codes, or environmental education in schools, within the ‘The Sea in the School’ program.
During the tour, the minister visited the Conil fish market, where he learned about the fish labeling and auction system and visited the marine ecosystem recovery center known as ‘The House of Ramos and Santamarías,’ named after the corals and gorgonians in the area.
