The sector further warns that declaring catches from the first kilogram would sharply increase reporting requirements per trip and heighten discrepancies between estimates at sea and final port data. Fishermen argue this would disproportionately increase exposure to penalties, particularly for low-value bycatch species with limited relevance to stock management.

Cepesca cautions that this approach risks shifting fisheries control towards sanctioning formal administrative errors rather than delivering measurable improvements in conservation, traceability or the fight against illegal fishing.

 
Fixed Port Notification Deadlines Also Opposed

In a separate submission, Cepesca has rejected proposals to impose a fixed time limit for prior notification of entry into port. While the EU regulation sets a general minimum advance notice of four hours, it explicitly allows Member States to adapt this requirement to fleet characteristics, distance to port and fishing activity.

The sector points out that much of Spain’s inshore fleet operates very close to port, often on short tides, with gear deployed until shortly before arrival. In such circumstances, final catches are not known far enough in advance to meet rigid notification deadlines.

Cepesca has also raised safety concerns, warning that requiring skippers to complete electronic notifications during final navigation and port entry increases operational risk, particularly in congested ports, narrow entrances or poor weather.

According to fishermen, “practical experience shows that this situation has already generated incidents and dangerous situations, by forcing the captain, often with a minimal crew, to neglect essential governance and surveillance functions in order to comply with an administrative procedure that does not improve fisheries control”.

 
Call For Proportionate Application

The sector is asking MAPA to retain a minimum operational threshold for catch reporting, at least for specific fleets, fishing methods or bycatch species, or to introduce simplified reporting for low-volume catches. It also wants flexibility on port notification rules, arguing that notification prior to arrival, as provided for under Article 17.1 bis of the Control Regulation, is sufficient.

Cepesca has reiterated the fishing sector’s willingness to work constructively with the authorities, including through technical cooperation and onboard inspections, to ensure the regulation is applied in a way that is effective, legally robust and grounded in operational reality.