Recreational marine fishing in Catalonia is growing in participation but reducing total catches in 2024.
The latest ICATMAR report on the state of recreational marine fishing in Catalonia shows an increase in the number of recreational fishers in 2024, with an estimated 52,200 participants, representing a 6.7% growth compared to the average for the 2020–2023 period. Despite this rise in participation, the study indicates a decrease in the total extracted biomass, which drops from an estimated 940 tonnes per year in 2020–2023 to approximately 851 tonnes in 2024.
The report confirms that recreational marine fishing continues to be a highly seasonal activity, concentrated mainly between May and September. However, in 2024 there was an increase in activity during the winter months, particularly in boat fishing and spearfishing.
Regarding catches, species from the sparid family, such as gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and seabreams (Diplodus spp.), remain the main target group for recreational fishing. Each fishing modality, however, shows distinct patterns:
- Shore angling focuses mainly on gilthead seabream, seabreams, and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax).
- Boat angling stands out for the capture of pelagic fish such as little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) and cephalopods such as cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and squid (Loligo vulgaris).
- Spearfishing maintains a significant presence of species such as dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) and common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), in addition to sparids.
Overall, in 2024 a reduction in catches was observed in boat angling and spearfishing, while shore angling shows slight increases in some coastal areas.
The data also reveal that most recreational catches continue to be retained, with percentages close to 88%, and that catch-and-release practices still have a very limited presence. These results reinforce the importance of considering recreational fishing in stock assessments and fisheries management, especially in the context of marine resource sustainability.
Finally, ICATMAR highlights that five consecutive years of data collection have made it possible to consolidate a robust time series on recreational marine fishing in Catalonia. This continuity is key to improving the reliability of estimates and advancing towards informed decision-making based on co-management and the integration of recreational fishing into marine governance policies. The full report is available at this link or in the publications section.
