Fishing: It’s time for elections in the Mediterranean industrial tribunals

La prud’homie de Sète-Môle représente une soixantaine de professionnels de la pêche. Midi Libre – NICOLAS ZARROUK

Fishermen are called to the polls this week, to choose their representatives in the prud’homies. Unique bodies in the Mediterranean.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Elections in the Hérault prud’homies are in full swing. These representative bodies of fishermen, organized into branches according to the type of activity, which exist only in the Mediterranean and since the Middle Ages, are responsible for managing areas and fishing practices regulated under the aegis of maritime affairs. To preserve the resource, defend sustainable fishing, but also represent professionals by embodying an interface with decision-making bodies, administrations, local authorities, State services or the EU. The vote will be held this Wednesday, December 18 for the Sète étang de Thau prud’homie and on December 20 for Sète-Môle. This last constituency has about ten trawlers, twenty tuna boats and thirty small crafts.

Voluntary position but at the heart of the action

In Sète, four positions are to be filled for three-year terms, including that of major industrial tribunal for which two candidates are in the running. A voluntary position but with great responsibility such as representing the industrial tribunal during European negotiations on quotas and fishing days determined by the EU. Recent negotiations conducted in Brussels alongside professional organizations have made it possible to stabilize a potential maintenance of fishing days in the Mediterranean, provided that certain conditions are met such as the reduction of fishing zones or the mesh size of nets. The fishing efforts granted in recent years have also been taken into account. This could make it possible to maintain a level of profitability of around 170 days of trawling for around forty trawlers in the Mediterranean (this figure was to be reduced to 140). Unlike Spain and Italy, which could see their fishing authorisations reduced to a few dozen days by 2025.