SPAIN – Fishermen several arts Mackerel fish begin in mid-February

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Magrama) decided to set February 16 as the starting date of the coastal fleet Mackerel arts for several (different to the fence and drag).

The set date is intermediate between requesting -2 Basque fishermen and Galician February- March--fines sailors.

The Federation of Fishermen of Galicia, for example, had argued that the Fisheries begin on March 23.

Thomas Fajardo, president of the Galician confraternities, argued that the fishery Mackerel least reach the coasts of Galicia to open soon. And if this happens, the Galician vessels have to travel to the Bay of Biscay, fishery that can only get larger vessels.

“I fear that the latter date is final”Said the leader to the newspaper Faro de Vigo.

The official proposal does not satisfy the Basque Government, which expressed its “indignant” with the delay of small pelagic fishery.

The Basque authorities argue that the delay hurts local fishermen “earnest” by the limited presence of mackerel in its waters. Also, emphasize that French fishermen have already started the activity.

The Basque Government calls “incomprehensible” Magrama's decision because “completely devoid of objective criteria”.

It also stresses that the mackerel fishery is “vital importance” for the Basque fleet and the economy of the coastal towns.

From the fishing sector, the President of the Federation of Guilds of Gipuzkoa, Eugenio Elduayen, described “joke” the Ministry has decided to delay the opening of the mackerel fishery with minor arts.

The leader said he did not understand why “have to delay it if the fee is already strewn communities”, Newspaper El País.

SOURCE: Fis.com