The Spanish fleet has an average age of 32 years and where more than 2,500 boats are already in their forties

The plan is to ensure in Brussels the modernization of the fleet without increasing fishing capacity

EUROPEAN UNION
Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 20:30 (GMT + 9)

The average age of the Spanish fleet is 32 years and more than 2,500 boats are over 40

The future European Fisheries Fund will not increase fishing capacity but funds may be used to modernize the vessels. It was what countries such as Spain, Italy or France wished, in their attempt to make the sector attractive to future fishermen, as opposed to the position of the Fisheries Affairs Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, defender of the mantra "there are no fishermen and there are no fish".

Critics fear that overly generous subsidies will mean an increase in fishing capacity and, with it, a danger to the sustainability of resources. However, the acting Minister of Fisheries, Luis Planas, assured during the debate that the sustainability of the flagging of the Commission must also "preserve" the life of "our fishermen", because the first sustainability "is human".

Thus, the prior agreement of the Twenty-eight on the management of the fishing funds for the period 2021-2027 gives "greater flexibility" and "adaptability" to the Member States compared to the current instrument in force (2014-2020), « excessively rigid, "they pointed from the Ministry. According to the Xunta, the delays in the execution of fishing funds are due to the enormous administrative burden that companies, associations and individuals have to face when requesting aid. Many, do not even try.

"This agreement is a bit more focused on the line defended by Galicia", commented yesterday from the Consellería do Mar, satisfied with the progress that is regarding "Questions we always demand, such as the possibility of making improvements on board, which may have a great influence in the achievement of generational relief, as well as in the provision of security measures and in the improvement of energy efficiency with the possibility of supporting engine changes. ", they explained.

Source: Ramon Leiro | Lucia Vidal / La Voz de Galicia (Read the original full story here in spanish)

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