Xàbia unanimously approves Institutional Declaration of Support for the Fishing Sector

The latest Xàbia Council Plenary Session, held on Monday 31st March, unanimously approved the Institutional Declaration of Support for the Mediterranean Fishing Sector, recognizing the socioeconomic and cultural importance of this activity in the municipality as well as a call to action to ensure its viability.

Xàbia is a historically seafaring municipality, where fishing plays a fundamental role in the local economy and the community’s identity. In this regard, the council expressed its support for the fishing sector in the face of the recent restrictions imposed by the European Union, which limit fishing days to just 27 per year, jeopardizing the survival of local vessels and the livelihoods of many families.

The institutional statement highlights the progress made in fishing sustainability, with a 40% reduction in fishing effort and improvements in selectivity and closed seasons. Despite these positive data, the situation in Xàbia is critical for the five trawlers operating in the town. The drastic reduction in fishing days jeopardizes the survival of the sector and, with it, the preservation of a legacy that is part of the municipality’s cultural and gastronomic heritage.

Faced with this situation, Xàbia Council has agreed to urge the Spanish Government to request the European Commission to increase the number of fishing days to 200, thus allowing the sector to continue under sustainable and balanced conditions. The council also reaffirms its commitment to the protection of the Mediterranean and highlights the efforts of fishermen, who in 2024 collected 150,000 tons of rubbish from the waters, mainly plastic, actively contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem.

Along with this institutional declaration and within the framework of the ongoing review of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture in Xàbia is also actively participating in the public consultation that will assess the impact of this regulation after ten years of implementation in the Member States of the European Union. The objective is to demonstrate how this regulation has affected our municipality and defend the interests of the local fishing sector.

With this institutional declaration, Xàbia Council firmly positions itself in defence of the fishing sector and its continuity, calling for measures that will guarantee its future without compromising the sustainability of the Mediterranean Sea.