The Ministry of Environment and the Spanish Junta have recently assured the operational activities of the four trap-nets fisheries of Cadiz engaged in catching bluefin tuna, despite the 40% quota reduction imposed by international agencies that are managing this species. Following a meeting held in Madrid, the Andalusian Minister of Fisheries, Clara Aguilera, called on companies of the sector to “go ahead and initiate the recruitment of fishermen as initially plannedâ€.
Although the specific details of the agreement are still to be announced within the coming days, sources from the Junta informed that the agreement is based on two plans of action.
First, the Government will amend the regulations managing the catching activities in Spain, so that the Almadraba fishermen are authorized to transfer their quotas among the different fleets in the country.
Moreover, the Government and the Board will employ Cadiz trap-net workers to conduct a scientific study to assess the number of tuna existing in the upcoming campaign. This data will provide the basis for a report on the status of the species.
Once developed, the paper will be presented by Spain to the fisheries management bodies of the European Union.
