The Balearic Government sets the maximum daily quotas for recreational fishing of some species of fish with the aim of conserving the marine resources of the Balearic Islands

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, through the Directorate General of Fisheries, has established, for the first time, for recreational fishing, maximum catch quotas per license and day for sea bass, sea bream, dentex and all species of groupers. The measure, which was consulted with the island councils and has the support of the sector, was agreed upon by the Commission for the Co-management of Recreational Maritime Fishing in the Balearic Islands. The Resolution of the Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, which has already been published in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB), establishes an individual daily quota and a daily quota per boat. «The main objective is to preserve the marine resources of the Balearic Islands, through sustainable fishing in which the sector is involved. The measure has been fully agreed with this group, which demanded to be able to be part of this type of decision-making that affects them directly», said Grau.

The individual daily quota is per person, and therefore refers to underwater fishermen, those who fish from the rocks and recreational fishermen who fish from boats. On the other hand, the daily quota per boat takes into account the catches per boat, regardless of the number of people on it. For example, in the case of dentex, in a boat with seven people, three specimens could be caught.

The daily quotas for fishing these species are as follows:

The Director General of Fisheries points out that, in the future, establishing new quotas or modifying existing ones for other species, such as scorpionfish, is not ruled out, "provided that there is majority support in the Commission for the Co-management of Recreational Maritime Fishing in the Balearic Islands."

It must be remembered that recreational maritime fishing is a leisure activity with tens of thousands of fans in the Balearic Islands. It is a practice that not only provides direct contact between the population and nature, but also generates an important economic and commercial movement that cannot be underestimated. "Most people who practice recreational fishing are concerned about the conservation and health of marine resources, which is why they want to contribute to the preservation of marine ecosystems," stressed Grau.

Recreational Maritime Fishing Co-Management Commission

The Recreational Maritime Fishing Co-Management Commission in the Balearic Islands is a public participation body made up of representatives of all relevant stakeholders and affected administrations. Its objective is to improve the governance of recreational maritime fishing and promote the participation of this group in the conservation of marine resources and in the management of recreational fishing to ensure sustainability. It should be remembered that the Government created this body in 2024 to meet a demand from the sector, which demanded more information and the possibility of participating in decision-making mechanisms.