Radiography of fishing and aquaculture in Catalonia

The fishing and aquaculture sector plays an important role in Catalonia within the framework of the agri-food industry. Fishing is one activity with a strong tradition in the country, maintains its uniqueness through which the boats continue to go out to sea every morning and return to the port to sell the fish they have caught. Fresh fish and seafood fresh from the sea is available to consumers on the same day and well-managed fisheries contribute to the sustainability of both the sea and its resources, as well as coastal fishing itself.

Main figures

Fishing and aquaculture account for 2.84% of Catalonia's agri-food sector exports with €285 million, which has about forty fishing ports and a fleet of more than 800 boats. More than 27,000 tons of fish with an economic value of €106 million are sold every year through the shops. Regarding the 8,000 tons of annual aquaculture production, the 3,670 tons of mussels stand out and the majority of fish are trout (1,880 tons) and sea bream (660 tons), respectively. Statistics indicate that, on average, 24 kilos of fish per person are consumed each year in Catalonia.

Economic activity

The manufacture and conservation of fish and its derived products employed more than a thousand people in Catalonia in 2015, a figure that became 1.35% of the country's agri-food sector and represented a business volume of €189 M based on the activity of 61 companies.

A healthy product

A balanced and healthy diet must include fish and seafood. These aquatic products are the main source of omega-3 fat, as well as being rich in numerous nutrients such as vitamin D, selenium and protein, while having very low levels of saturated fat. Fish consumption is highly beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Studies indicate that the consumption of approximately 1-2 portions of fatty fish per week (mullet, mackerel, tuna, sardine...) reduces the risk of heart disease by 36%. The omega-3 fats provided by fish products are also important for the optimal development of a baby's brain and nervous system. Other benefits of including fish and shellfish in our diet are the decreased risk of cerebrovascular accident, depression and Alzheimer's among other chronic diseases.

Proximity guarantee

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Generalitat promotes the campaign "Point to me, I'm a guarantee of proximity" to promote the fishing varieties of the Catalan coast. Through the logo Market fish, it is possible to identify local fish from Catalan fish shops and give consumers more tools to identify them as local, fresh and seasonal products. At the same time, it is also intended to promote lesser-known local varieties and inform and promote labeling as a distinctive image of the market product.



*Information prepared with data corresponding to the year 2017