Catalan officials urge EU to increase Mediterranean shrimp fishing days

Fishermen in La Ràpita, Catalonia, have resumed trawling activities following the biological ban period. While initial catches of crustaceans like langoustines have been positive, the sector faces shifting ecological and regulatory challenges. Climate change is reportedly introducing new species, such as white shrimp from Huelva, while traditional species like scampi are declining due to warming waters.

Catalan Agriculture Minister Óscar Ordeig has met with European Commission officials in Brussels to advocate for changes to fishing regulations. Ordeig is calling for an increase in permitted fishing days, arguing that Mediterranean shrimp stocks have recovered. He specifically criticized the ‘double regulation’ system, which imposes both a limit on fishing days and a weight quota, noting that current restrictions prevent fishermen from capitalizing on abundant stocks and lead to market price disruptions.

Additionally, the regional government is seeking to strengthen restrictions on beef imports from Brazil to protect local market prices. Looking ahead, the fishing industry remains focused on upcoming European Union decisions in December that will determine fishing days for 2027.