The Town Council and the Fishermen's Guild address the situation of the fishing grounds in the Gulf of Cádiz, the new aid from the Junta, and the renewal of vessels.
The mayor of Punta Umbría, José Carlos Hernández Cansino, and the Chief Fisherman of the 'Santo Cristo del Mar' Fishermen's Guild, Manuel Fernández Belmonte, held a working meeting to analyse the situation of the fishing sector in the locality. The meeting, held after a visit to the Fish Market, served to discuss the new aid proposed by the Junta de Andalucía for the regulation of clam fishing, as reported by Huelva Buenas Noticias.
One of the main issues discussed was the situation of the fishing grounds in the Gulf of Cádiz, which the municipal statement places in a context of overexploitation. The Town Council and the Guild analysed the scope of the new support measures related to the regulation of the fishery.
Hernández Cansino pointed out that the aim is to understand the professionals' assessment and to check whether the proposed measures meet their needs. The mayor also argued that if the support proves insufficient, it will be necessary to demand greater resources and better conditions for those affected. At this point, the Town Council also highlights the need to consider the situation of ship dismantling and that compensation allows for the process to be faced with guarantees for both owners and fishermen.
"The recovery of the fishery must be accompanied by an adaptation of fishing effort and the fleet"
The Chief Fisherman has argued that the proposal does not solely involve reducing the number of vessels. He also suggests that the remaining fleet should be more efficient, safer, and capable of ensuring decent living conditions for those who work on it. The renewal of boats occupied a significant part of the meeting, with the sector demanding vessels adapted to current needs and with better working conditions.
Fernández Belmonte has focused on the inclusion of women in fishing activities. To this end, he believes it is necessary for new vessels to incorporate adequate spaces and services, such as cabins and toilets.
The modernisation of the fleet is also considered from an energy perspective. The Chief Fisherman has advocated for Europe to explore new alternatives to reduce dependence on traditional fuels. Among the possibilities mentioned is the research and development of solutions related to the electrification of vessels.
This demand is joined by a request addressed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to update the amounts of support allocated for fleet renewal. According to the Chief Fisherman, this aid has been frozen for over twenty years and should be adapted to the current economic and technological needs of the sector.
The meeting also allowed for the discussion of other fishing modalities present in Punta Umbría, including seining, sardines, and anchovies. The aim is to have a comprehensive view of the situation of a sector that continues to play a significant role in the locality.
The Town Council and the Guild have raised the need to maintain ongoing collaboration to convey the professionals' needs to the various administrations. Hernández Cansino has stressed the importance of fishing for Punta Umbría and has advocated for coordination between European, national, regional, and local levels to tackle the challenges facing the sector.
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