The Cantabrian anchovy fishing campaign has ended, and the Kofradia Itsas-Etxea center has announced that fishing vessels set out for the bonito season this very weekend. They reported that the anchovy campaign was "especially positive," thanks to the new quota management system implemented last year, which has achieved "maintaining the average price at 1.89 euros per kilo, a value not registered since 2013."
The center emphasized that being able to manage the quota within the Basque Autonomous Community has enabled more effective action. According to specific data, "Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa have consumed 93% of the available quota, amounting to 8,023,119 kilos, while nationwide consumption reached 70.58%, totaling 21,481,461 kilos."
Regarding Gipuzkoa, the purse seine fleet sold 2,468,372 kilos in the fish markets of Getaria, Pasaia, and Hondarribia. The mackerel campaign, however, had little connection to the anchovy season. Although no exact figures were provided, they stated that the results were "very worrying" and had a direct and significant impact on vessels using small-scale hook and line and purse seine methods, as mackerel fishing is one of their "main sources of annual income."
In recent days, Basque fishermen have been engaged in preparation work at the docks, and Kofradia Itsas-Etxea explained that 90% of the Basque fleet is already at sea. While the first bonito catches have arrived at ports like Bermeo and Hondarribia, they were described as "initial punctual landings" and are not yet significant.
Despite these points, optimism prevails for the upcoming season. "The sector has approached the campaign with great optimism, and we expect catches and landings in Basque ports to gradually increase in the coming weeks. Along with anchovy, this bonito season is the most important of the year for fishermen and the coastal fishing sector." They reiterated that the Eusko Label quality seal and the renowned MSC sustainability certification guarantee the product's quality, which is highly valued by consumers both domestically and internationally.
