Brussels guarantees traditional transparent goby and picarel fishing in the Balearic Islands until 2029

The new extension authorised by the European Commission allowing the continued fishing of jonquillo, cabotí and gerret using traditional fishing methods until 2029 has been welcomed not only by the Balearic fishing sector, but also by the islands’ restaurant and gastronomy industry. The decision will help preserve a historic artisanal activity while ensuring that bars and restaurants across the Balearic Islands can continue offering these fresh, locally sourced fish on their menus during the season.

The restaurant sector considers this continuity especially important because jonquillo, cabotí and gerret are part of the Balearic culinary tradition and are highly appreciated by both residents and visitors. The possibility of continuing to offer these species as local products reinforces Balearic gastronomy’s commitment to quality, sustainability and local identity.

The extension approved by Brussels endorses the co-management, scientific monitoring and technical control model promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment together with the fishing sector. This authorisation will allow Balearic artisanal fishermen to continue catching these species using regulated traditional fishing methods subject to strict scientific monitoring.

The Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, stressed that “this new extension is the result of rigorous, constant and shared work between the Administration, the fishing sector and the scientific community,” adding that the European Commission “has once again given the Balearic Islands the green light because it has been proven that this fishery is managed according to technical criteria, scientific monitoring and the direct involvement of fishermen.”

The European regulation also recognises that this activity has a very limited impact on the marine environment, that the nets used do not come into contact with the seabed and that it is a highly selective fishery with very low by-catch levels.

In addition to preserving a traditional fishing activity linked to the maritime culture of the Balearic Islands, the decision strengthens the entire economic chain associated with local produce, from fishermen to restaurants, which will continue to offer residents and tourists fresh fish caught in Balearic waters and closely linked to the islands’ Mediterranean cuisine.