Marine reserves and fisheries co-management: Key tools for the future of Balearic fisheries

Experts and representatives of the Fisheries sector analyse successful measures and debate the future of Mediterranean fisheries

The Estudi General Lul·lià Library hosted a dialogue on the future of fishing in the Balearic Islands. The event, organised by Marilles Foundation with the participation of experts and public administrations, highlighted two key measures for the sustainability of the sector: marine reserves and co-management of fisheries. 

The meeting began with an introduction by Aniol Esteban, director of Marilles, who stressed the importance of constructive dialogue to guarantee the future of the Balearic fishing sector. ‘The Balearic fishing fleet has the capacity to become a reference model for sustainability throughout the Mediterranean. We want to make it clear that there are tools and experiences that can help to provide more guarantees for fishers and the sector in general’, he said.

Antoni Grau, Director General of Fisheries of the Balearic Islands government, went on to explain the benefits of marine reserves. ‘They are a fundamental part of guaranteeing the future of Balearic fisheries, the supply of local sustainable fish products and the enjoyment of rich and diverse fish stocks by the citizens’, he said.

Sergi Tudela, an expert in fisheries management and former director general of Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries of the Catalan government, shared his experience in fisheries co-management. ‘Co-management is a powerful tool for adapting to current challenges. In Catalonia, we have seen how it can work when there is a willingness to collaborate between all the actors’, he said.

After the presentations, there was space for debate and discussion, including Elisa Martínez’s presention of the Calant Xarxes initiative and the sustainable consumption guide she has just published, and Miquel Ortega’s (ICM-CSIC) analytical perspective of fish consumption.