Defending the uniqueness of the Balearic fleet to the European Commissioner for Fisheries  

‘Keeping the sea in an optimal state of conservation is the best thing we can do to guarantee the future of fishing.’ This was one of the messages that our director, Aniol Esteban, conveyed to the European Commissioner for Fisheries, Costas Kadis, during his visit to Mallorca for the first conference on fishing, insularity, and co-management. 

Esteban highlighted the uniqueness of the Balearic Islands' fishing fleet and the successes of its stewardship. These have resulted in a reduction in the fleet, leading to less erosion of the Balearic Sea's ecological system, while maintaining economic benefits. Much of this successful management is also due to the benefits of marine reserves of fishing interest (RMIPs). 

Esteban called for more monitoring, better surveillance, and more efficient management of RMIPs, involving the sector through measures such as fisheries co-management. Together with the expansion of strictly protected areas (no-take zones), this would help to guarantee fish stocks and a prosperous future for the sector. There are 12 marine reserves in the Balearic Islands, covering 0.93% of the marine area, with proven benefits for professional fishing. 

In terms of specific actions by European institutions, Esteban advocated the creation of incentives for sustainable fishing and a fairer distribution of fishing quotas, with particular emphasis on tuna, as well as stability in regulations