Concerns Over Illegal Fishing Practices in the Alboran Sea
The fishing fleet of Almería has raised alarms regarding the detection of up to 40 vessels from Morocco and Algeria operating in the Alboran Sea using drift nets, a practice explicitly banned under European regulations. These boats are reportedly encroaching on fishing grounds that are crucial for local fishermen in Almería. Drift nets, which are suspended in the water and carried by currents, are prohibited for the capture of certain pelagic species, including swordfish, according to EU law. The fishing sector voices concerns that the employment of these nets by foreign vessels leads to unfair competition, placing the Andalusian fleet at a disadvantage.
The situation has further intensified the already fraught atmosphere among Mediterranean fishermen. Spanish vessels are currently subjected to the restrictions of the Western Mediterranean Multiannual Plan, which has progressively reduced the number of operational days. According to data provided by Cepesca, the Mediterranean trawling fleet has decreased from approximately 230 fishing days in 2019 to an average of 130 days in 2026, resulting in significant economic losses.
Impact on Local Fisheries and Economic Stability
José María Gallart, president of the Andalusian Federation of Fishing Associations (Faape) and the Almería Shipowners Association, has recently highlighted the stark differences in operational conditions between Spanish fishermen and those from North African fleets. Antonio Nieto Santiago, manager of Pesca España, has also warned of the detrimental effects these practices have on local fishing grounds. This is not an isolated incident; Gallart had previously noted during a conference on the future of fishing in the Mediterranean held at the Senate that vessels from Morocco and Algeria were utilizing illegal gillnets in areas vital to Spanish fleets, particularly around the island of Alboran.
The Almería fleet has pinpointed the presence of as many as 40 foreign vessels simultaneously operating in the area, which includes the Alboran Island, a designated Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) covering over 66,000 hectares, part of the Natura 2000 network. Fishermen are also raising alarms about abandoned or drifting nets, as they pose potential risks to other fishing gear used by the Spanish fleet. Encounters with these nets can lead to damages and losses for the boats that inadvertently come into contact with them during their operations.
The use of drift nets in the Mediterranean has a long history of prohibitions and complaints. The European Union has banned their use for capturing certain species, and international fishing organizations have also implemented measures against such practices. Despite Morocco having a national prohibition on drift nets, Spanish fishing organizations repeatedly express concerns that these nets continue to be utilized by vessels from the neighboring African country.
In previous instances, the Civil Guard has intervened near Ceuta concerning the use of these fishing methods. In 2023, the Maritime Service of the Ceuta Command seized drift nets from Moroccan-flagged fishing boats during two separate operations, as reported by local media. While the Spanish fleet shares maritime space and markets with vessels from third countries, it is subjected to more restrictive operational conditions. Consequently, they believe that the inaction of the government over the past few years is evident.
The demand from shipowners is straightforward: they are calling for increased surveillance on vessels using prohibited fishing methods and for governmental action. Cepesca has been warning for months that the continuous reduction of fishing days is already leading to job losses and challenges in maintaining activity in Mediterranean coastal communities. The association has advocated for a review of the European plan to recover workdays.
Additionally, the sector raises parallel concerns regarding irregularities in the land-based marketing chain. Representatives from the Andalusian fleet have warned about the influx of fish products from third countries that do not comply with the labeling required by EU regulations. They contend that this practice exacerbates unfair competition by flooding the community market with lower-priced products. This troubling situation is compounded by the challenge of navigating the presence of North African vessels using drift nets in the Alboran Sea. The fishing sector demands that the same restrictions applied to Spanish fishermen be extended to fleets from third countries or, alternatively, that controls be implemented in the same fishing areas of interest.
As reported by theobjective.com.
