Photo: Cepesca/Burela OPP

Spanish Fishing Sector Disappointed by EU General Court Ruling Dismissing Appeals Against Closure of 87 Fishing Zones

SPAIN
Friday, June 13, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Fishermen are analyzing the judgment and evaluating potential legal actions after the decision upholds controversial regulations impacting vulnerable marine ecosystems.

MADRID – The Spanish fishing sector, represented by the Spanish Fisheries Confederation (Cepesca), has expressed its profound disappointment following yesterday's ruling by the European Union's General Court. The court dismissed the joint appeal filed by the Kingdom of Spain and the Burela Fishing Producers Organization (OPP) against European Commission (EC) regulations that prohibit bottom fishing in areas potentially harboring Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs).

The Spanish sector aligns with the sentiment expressed by the European Bottom Fishing Alliance (EBFA), an organization chaired by Spain's Iván López, which represents 20,000 fishermen from 7,000 vessels across 14 European countries.

According to the sector, the ruling supports the EC's controversial approach to identifying and regulating these zones. Specifically, the EC did not evaluate the fragility of ecosystems based on the type of fishing gear used, particularly passive gear like demersal longlines employed by Burela's OPP fishermen (one of the parties that filed an appeal). Furthermore, the court did not assess the consequences of these conservation measures on fishing activity and the economic and social viability of the communities.

Notably, the Burela longline fleet has seen its annual catch volumes reduced by over 30% since the closures came into effect.

"While we must respect court decisions, we are analyzing and assessing what legal options we can use to try and reverse a situation created by regulations that we consider overly strict and disproportionate," stated Javier Garat, Secretary General of Cepesca. He added, "We also want to recognize the courageous decision of OPP Burela to challenge these closures."

The sector also laments its exclusion from the development of necessary solutions to achieve conservation objectives in the designated areas. In their view, being left out has only led to unnecessary and detrimental impacts on fishing fleets, particularly the longline fleet.

Finally, fishermen assert that "the chosen path can be rectified" and call on the new Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, to reflect on this outcome. They urge an urgent review of the Deep-Sea Access Regulation to ensure that both environmental protection and the viability of responsible fishing communities are respected.

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