The counselor Francisco Jódar during the presentation of the book on the fishery of the chanquete. (Photo: CARM)

Murcia seeks to obtain sustainable seal for shrimp and transparent goby

SPAIN
Friday, January 19, 2018, 21:20 (GMT + 9)

The Ministry of Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Region of Murcia, along with the fishing sector and NGOs WWF and ANSE (Association of Naturalists of the Southeast), is working with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to achieve the sustainability label for the shrimp and transparent goby (Aphia minuta) fisheries, by the artisanal fleet of Murcia.

In order to have access to a sustainable fishery label, three basic principles must be met: the fishery must be sustainable over time; the arts and fishing techniques must have a low impact on the marine ecosystem and the avifauna; and there must be an effective and guarantee system for the management of the fishery.

"In the case of shrimp, the pre-evaluation has already been carried out, and for the transparent goby (chanquete) we will start it shortly," counselor Francisco Jódar said.

The counselor made this announcement during the presentation of the book Las pesquerías artesanales en la Región de Murcia. El chanquete, by authors José Peñalver, Emilio María Dolores, Leandro Bermúdez, Emilio Romero and Marcelo Martínez.

The objective of all participants in the co-management of these two fisheries, shrimp and transparent goby, is to achieve both certifications within two years.

Jódar stressed that the Executive intends, through this certification, "to value the activity of this artisan sector highly respectful of the environment".

In this regard, he affirmed that the Transparent Goby Fishing Plan "is a good example of how fisheries that respect the marine environment can be exempted by the EU, under a series of conditions that emanate from the community regulations".

These conditions go through ensuring a maximum of 20 tonnes of catches per season, and establish a daily maximum of 35 or 45 kilos, depending on the number of crew on board.

In the Region of Murcia, there are a maximum of 28 vessels that, between December 1 and February 28, have access to this fishery and in the 2016-2017 season, captured more than 18,000 kilos, contributing income to the sector of EUR 393,000.

Jódar affirmed that the transparent goby fishery "generates fishing culture, disseminates scientific knowledge and roots our traditions and customs".

"It is a sector that brings to port an exquisite product, short circuit, sustainable and example of respect for the ecosystem," he concluded.

The Region of Murcia has 129 artisanal vessels that account for 72 percent of the regional fleet.

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