The Pleno del Consell has given the green light this Friday to a decree that sets the regulatory bases and the granting of direct aid from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Livestock and Fisheries, for a total amount of 1,250,000 euros, aimed at the Fishermen's Guilds and their Federations in order to reinforce the structuring of the fishing sector in the Valencian Community.
According to the spokesperson for the Consell and Minister of Agriculture, Water, Livestock and Fisheries, Miguel Barrachina, these aids will serve to cover expenses related to advisory, consultation and collaboration work with the administration, as well as initiatives aimed at promoting maritime fishing, defending the interests of the sector and the involvement of the guilds in participatory processes related to the fishing and marine sphere that affect the maritime fishing sector during the 2026 fiscal year.
"In a context marked by the growing difficulties that the fishing sector is going through, with a continued reduction in the number of vessels and landed catches, fishermen's guilds play a fundamental role in ensuring the defense and promotion of fishing activity," highlighted Barrachina, who pointed out that these entities "also act as essential intermediaries in participatory processes related to maritime fishing and the marine sphere, developing key support functions for the sector."
Among the most relevant functions of these organizations are the preparation of fishing statistics, advice to both the administration and maritime professionals, collaboration in processing permits and temporary closures, participation in the management of marine reserves and, notably, the administration of fish markets as authorized facilities for the first sale.
In this regard, the Generalitat considers it "essential" to maintain the activity of these entities through direct aid, due to the social and economic relevance they represent for the sector and for coastal municipalities, as well as to guarantee "the continuity of the management of fish markets and daily support for fishing professionals."