Sector and experts are looking for a new 'pezqueñines' to recover consumption, weighed down by the false perception that fish is expensive
A Guarda -In the last decade, fish consumption in Spanish homes has shown a marked downward trend with a drop of an alarming 38.6%. That is to say, we Spaniards currently consume eight kilos less of fish per year than in 2013.
Faced with this scenario, the fishing sector needs to mobilize to adapt to changes in habits and to more efficiently disseminate the benefits of consuming seafood products.
Fishermen and marketing and communication experts consider it crucial to influence the nutritional benefits and sustainability of fish and seafood, as well as develop innovative strategies that attract consumers and revitalize demand in the Spanish market.
Starting from this premise and delving into the topic, A Guarda hosted this morning the International Fishing Day on Large Migrators, organized by the
Guardeses Longliners Organization (ORPAGU) and co-financed by MAPA and FEMPA, which featured interventions by Joaquín at its opening Cadilla, president of ORPAGU, Roberto Álvarez, mayor of A Guarda, and Alfonso Villares, Sea Councilor of the Xunta de Galicia, who agreed on the importance of making the benefits of fish reach the consumer.
Yobana Bermúdez, general director of Conxemar. Photo: ORPAGU
Yobana Bermúdez, general director of Conxemar, took on the first of the presentations in which she addressed "The problem of vegan products that imitate fishery products." Bermúdez highlighted the growing market for plant-based products and the confusion they generate in consumers and pointed out that, although these products are gaining popularity, the lack of a clear definition and specific regulation in their labeling can mislead consumers, leading them to believe that these products are healthier or environmentally friendly without strong evidence.
She demanded a regulation that guarantees clear and truthful information on the labeling of these products, mentioning that some vegetable imitations may have more sodium, fat and sugar than the fish products they seek to imitate, in addition to fewer beneficial nutrients such as proteins and omega-3s.
Councilor of the Sea, Alfonso Villares. Photo: ORPAGU
Round table on promotion
Óscar Mozún, Director of Strategy and Communication at TACTIS Europe, and Ángels Segura, Head of Seafood Products at AECOC, explained that there is an erroneous perception that fish is expensive and that is hindering consumption and they put the need on the table. of a “coordinated” and powerful communication strategy like those implemented by FROM in the past.
In this sense, they recalled that, despite the decrease in fish consumption, there are species that are gaining ground such as salmon or cod, the result of an excellent communication and marketing campaign.
Photo: ORPAGU
An unclear citizen initiative
The second presentation of this year's event delved into the citizen initiative on the prohibition of the commercialization of loose fins: "STOP FINNING-STOP THE TRADE", an action promoted by professionals who have nothing to do with fishing and whose financing The origin is unknown since they have not updated the transparency portal since 2022.
Lucía Sarricolea, Area Coordinator of the General Subdirectorate of Regional Fisheries Agreements and Organizations, explained in detail the process of the European Citizen Initiatives (ECI) and pointed out that 50% of the responses to this public consultation were from NGOs and environmental organizations. .
Photo: ORPAGU
The impact of the ban on the marketing of loose fins
The most important organizations in the sector (Orpagu,
Opromar and
OPPBurela), which represent a fleet of 126 boats, participated in the second round table in which they talked about the initiative to request a ban on loose shark fins. The shipowners described a “complicated scenario” in which Brussels, certain media outlets and some NGOs are trying to destabilize an environmentally sustainable fleet, which complies with current regulations.
The sector also pointed out that FINNING (fishing for sharks whose fins are cut off and the mutilated body is thrown into the sea) is a very specific term for a practice that is already prohibited, so the citizen initiative "is an authentic hoax".
The Spanish fleet points out that with this type of actions, and the permissiveness of the European Parliament to take them into account, what is being attempted is to destroy the European fishing sector: “We are sustainable and we have to make a flag of that because, furthermore, we are not big multinationals, we are family businesses”
Finally, Gabriel Ocaña, manager of the interprofessional fishing organization, announced an imminent promotional campaign for swordfish, blue shark and mako shark focused on the areas of Spain where these three species have greater acceptance: Andalusia and Levante.
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