El Puerto fishing sector strikes over payment management issues

The fishing sector in El Puerto de Santa María has launched a total strike at the fish auction (lonja) and local markets on Wednesday, September 2, to protest ongoing issues with the payment and collection system.

The strike is supported by several industry groups, including Asoven (Fish Sellers Association), Asodeco (Buyers Association), and the Shipowners Association. The organizations are targeting the management services provided by Soft Control Informática S.A., citing persistent difficulties with digital operations and payment processing.

A primary point of contention is the requirement for buyers to make prepayments for transactions that have not yet occurred. Industry representatives claim this practice violates a previous agreement with the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz, which stipulated that payments should be made within six business days. Additionally, there are disputes regarding the implementation of guarantees (avales) intended to secure payments between wholesalers and fishing vessels.

The strike has directly impacted local supply, with some market stalls remaining closed or operating only with existing stock from cold storage. The Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz stated that it is analyzing the complaints and incidents presented by the sector and expects to provide a resolution shortly.