Chanquete Fishing Extension Murcia 2026: What Changes for Artisanal Fishermen

Key data

Artisanal fishermen in the Region of Murcia maintain their access to chanquete fishing (Aphia minuta) with seine nets from vessels thanks to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1002, published on May 6, 2026 and in force from the previous day. Without this extension, the activity would be prohibited by the general Mediterranean regulation contained in the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1967/2006, which establishes minimum distances from the coast and minimum depths for the use of this type of fishing gear.

The exception has a very precise geographic scope: it affects only Spanish territorial waters of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia. No other area of the Spanish Mediterranean is covered by this extension.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation (EC) 1967/2006 generally prohibits the use of seine nets from vessels below certain distances from the coast and minimum depths in the Mediterranean. This general rule seeks to protect seabeds and fishing resources from overfishing in coastal areas.

However, chanquete (Aphia minuta) is a species with particular biological characteristics and habitats that make its capture require operating precisely in the coastal and shallow-water areas that the general rule prohibits. For this reason, Spain requested and obtained a specific exception for Murcia, which is now extended through Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1002.

Operators who benefit from this exception must comply with the specific conditions established in the exception to ensure the sustainability of the resource. Non-compliance with these conditions could result in the loss of the exception's protection and the application of the general rule.

Economic and operational impact

Chanquete has significant economic and cultural importance for the artisanal fishing sector in the Region of Murcia. Without this extension, vessels fishing this species could not operate legally in the areas where the resource is concentrated, which would mean direct loss of income for the affected fishing associations and vessel owners.

From an operational perspective, the extension introduces no changes compared to the previous situation: Murician fishermen can continue working with the same gear and in the same areas they were using under the previous exception. The immediate impact is therefore one of continuity rather than adaptation.

The real economic risk is not in the entry into force of this regulation, but in its temporary nature. As this is a measure subject to European review, the sector must be prepared for scenarios in which the exception is not renewed or its conditions are modified in future reviews.

Who does it affect?

• Artisanal fishermen with vessels fishing chanquete (Aphia minuta) in territorial waters of the Region of Murcia.
• Fishing associations and organizations of the Murician artisanal fishing sector.
• Vessel owners and skippers using seine nets from vessels in the coastal areas of Murcia.
• Companies and traders that depend on the supply of chanquete from the Murician artisanal fleet.
• Control bodies and competent authorities in monitoring compliance with the exception's conditions.

Practical example

An artisanal vessel from Murcia fishing chanquete with seine nets typically operates at short distances from the coast and in shallow-water areas, conditions that the general Mediterranean regulation of Regulation (EC) 1967/2006 ordinarily prohibits.

Thanks to the extension of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1002, that same vessel can continue operating from May 5, 2026 under the same conditions it has been using, without needing to modify its fishing gear, fishing areas, or usual operations, as long as it complies with the specific sustainability conditions established in the exception.

If the exception had not been extended, that vessel would have been obliged to respect the minimum distances and depths of the general rule, which in practice would have meant the impossibility of legally catching chanquete in the areas where the resource is concentrated.

What should fishermen do now?

1. Verify that the activity complies with the specific conditions of the exception: The extension is not a blank check. Operators must ensure that their activity respects all sustainability conditions established in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1002 to not lose the protection of the exception.
2. Document fishing activity: Maintaining updated records of catches, fishing areas, and gear used facilitates accreditation of compliance before control authorities.
3. Be aware of the temporary nature of the measure: The exception is subject to European review. The sector must closely follow communications from the European Commission and Spanish administration to anticipate possible changes in conditions or future non-renewal.
4. Consult with the fishing association or sector organization: Organizations of the Murician artisanal fishing sector are the most direct channel for receiving updated information on the status of the exception and derived obligations.
5. Review the complete regulation from the official source: Access the full text of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1002 to know the exact details of applicable conditions.