Esquerra Republicana attends the demonstration against European regulations that endanger Catalan fishing
On Monday, 9 December a delegation from Esquerra Republicana led by Deputy Spokesperson in Congress Teresa Jordà, Senator Jordi Gaseni from Tarragona, and the Member of the Catalan Parliament for Terres de l'Ebre Albert Salvadó, attended the rally in front of the European Commission Representation in Madrid to defend Catalan fishing. “Respect a dignified profession,” demanded Ms Jordà.
The rally was held to protest against a European Plan that envisages a drastic reduction in fishing rights as of 2025, to be debated by the European Commission on 9 and 10 December. The new regulation puts forward a reduction in the number of fishing days per boat, from 133 days a year, to just 27 from next January. “This regulation will mean the ruination of the entire maritime sector. It is impossible to earn a living if you can’t work,” warned Senator Jordi Gaseni.
Ms Jordà was forceful in defending the Catalan fisherfolk: “They have done their homework.” She explained that this European regulation that “they want to impose on us” will destroy the Catalan coast and its essence. “We will fight because they mean to carry out a covert reconversion of the sector, which also makes generational renewal impossible,” denounced Esquerra’s Deputy Spokesperson in Congress.
This regulation will mean the ruination of the entire maritime sector. It is impossible to earn a living if you can’t workJordi Gaseni Senator of Esquerra Republicana
In this regard, Esquerra demands that Minister Planas who is currently in Europe, must “stand up to” this European regulation, failing which they have warned that “it will be a final blow to the entire Mediterranean fishing industry, and everything surrounding it.”
“Esquerra Republicana stands with the fisherfolk and the scientific community that endorses the effort made by the Catalan industry,” said Ms Jordà. “A boat that goes is a boat that will not return. And over the last years, we have lost 50% of the Catalan fleet. This is preposterous,” she concluded.