The EU favours Morocco and Algeria against the Spanish fishing sector

Bartolome Navarro, president of the Murcian Federation of Fishermen's Guilds, has warned about the marketing of species such as grouper and whiting in sizes smaller than those permitted by European regulations. For example, grouper, which must measure at least 45 centimetres, is found in markets in sizes of just 20 or 25 centimetres. Likewise, whiting, whose minimum permitted size is 20 centimetres, is imported in sizes of 10 to 13 centimetres. Navarro stresses that it is unacceptable to require local fishermen to comply with these regulations while allowing the entry of products that do not comply with them.

In addition to concerns about size, the quality of imported fish is also a cause for concern. Navarro warns that many of these products arrive gutted to prolong their freshness, but they may be more than five days old since they were caught, which represents a risk to public health and an unacceptable situation for consumers.

The lack of effective controls on imported products is another critical point. According to Navarro, inspectors only monitor national fish, leaving foreign products off the radar. He emphasizes that they should control all fish, sanction irregularities and guarantee food safety, since it is not fair that local fishermen are penalized while foreign product enters without problems.

Faced with this situation, the Government of Spain is working to find solutions. louis planes, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, met with the Mediterranean autonomous communities to discuss possible measures. Among the proposals, the revision of European fishing quotas and the updating of studies on fishing grounds stand out, since some current data are out of date. Sara Rubira, Minister of Fisheries in Murcia, assures that the conditions in the Mediterranean have improved and that it is possible to apply more flexible regulations.

Between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, Murcian fishermen staged strikes to raise awareness of the problem. During these protests, markets such as Verónicas in Murcia or Santa Florentina in Cartagena sought alternatives in other Mediterranean fish markets, such as the one in Alcantarilla.

The problem also extends to the agricultural sector. According to the Coordinator of Farmers and Livestock Organisations (COAG), imports of fruit and vegetables from Morocco grew by 30% in October 2024 compared to the previous year. The case of tomatoes is particularly worrying, as it is estimated that the limits stipulated in the free trade agreement with the EU have been exceeded, generating tax fraud of more than 71 million euros.

With these complaints, the Spanish fishing sector demands urgent measures to guarantee fair competition and food safety for consumers. The implementation of stricter controls and the review of trade agreements with third countries are presented as necessary actions to protect the national fishing industry and ensure compliance with European regulations.