New Sustainable Seafood Guide for the Balearic Islands

The Calant Xarxes Alliance, in collaboration with IME-OBSAM, launches a new guide to promote the sustainable consumption of fish and seafood from the Balearic Islands

The initiative aims to reduce pressure on the most vulnerable species and contribute to the conservation of the Balearic Sea

The Calant Xarxes Alliance, of which Menorca Preservation is a member, is launching a sustainable fish and seafood consumption guide for the Balearic Islands in collaboration with the Socio-Environmental Observatory of Menorca (IME-OBSAM). Its objective is to provide consumers with a practical tool to make informed decisions, promoting the diversification of fishery product consumption in the Balearic Islands.

This initiative seeks to reduce pressure on the most vulnerable species, support fishermen and fisherwomen in the Balearic Islands, and contribute to the conservation of the Balearic Sea.

Elisa Martínez, coordinator of the Calant Xarxes Alliance, explains that: “With this guide, we aim to provide consumers with a tool to help them choose local, traceable, seasonal fish and seafood that complies with minimum size regulations, prioritising those with lower vulnerability and health risks.”

Elisa Martínez also highlighted that the guide has been made possible thanks to collaboration with the fishing guilds of Mallorca, Ciutadella, Maó, Fornells, Sant Antoni, Ibiza, and Formentera; OpMallorcamar; Peixatería Sa Llotja; the Balearic Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds; researchers from COB-IEO; the Directorate-General for Fisheries of the Balearic Islands; IME-OBSAM technicians; designer Marijo Ribas; illustrator Toni Llobet; Esment printing house; and all members of the Calant Xarxes Alliance. “Together we have created a resource that will help facilitate responsible consumption of Balearic seafood products, helping consumers and key players in the value chain, such as restaurants and fishmongers, to move towards the sustainability of the Balearic Islands fisheries sector.” she affirmed.

Meanwhile, Xavier Marquès, the main skipper of the Ciutadella fishermen’s guild, says: ‘We hope that this guide will serve to raise awareness of the lesser-known fish that are just as tasty or even tastier than the more popular ones, and at the same time to continue enjoying seafood products in a more responsible way’.

Antoni María Grau, Director General of Fisheries of the Balearic Islands, emphasises: ‘Consumers are the third pillar, along with resources and the fishing sector, of the fishing world and the Calant Xarxes initiative will make it easier for interested people to access and consume local fish caught in a sustainable way. For this reason, the guide has the support of the Direcció General de Pesca and the commitment to try to go further, in particular to identify or certify recommended establishments’.

Guide Content

The guide provides a detailed description of 40 fish and seafood species, classified into two groups. The first group includes 16 lesser-consumed species, noted for their low vulnerability and minimal health risk. These are species with little market demand, some of which historically formed part of the traditional Balearic diet but whose consumption has declined over time. The second group includes the 24 most consumed and emblematic species, which present varying levels of vulnerability and health risks.

Additionally, each entry provides useful information on seasonality, fishing methods, and the characteristics of each species. General recommendations are also included regarding product handling, labelling, preparation methods, and health benefits.

Eva Marsinyach, research technician at IME-OBSAM, emphasised that “the development of the guide was based on a scientific approach, and we would like to thank Marina Bagur, the guide’s lead author, for her dedication and rigour in gathering information. Her work, in collaboration with various organisations, entities, and experts, has been crucial in developing the methodology used to assess the vulnerability of the species included in the guide.”

Promoting Sustainable Fishing

The Calant Xarxes Alliance stresses the importance of promoting sustainable fishing that not only protects marine biodiversity but also supports local communities: “Sustainable fishing starts on our plate. It is everyone’s responsibility to be more conscious consumers, support Balearic Islands’ fishermen, mitigate illegal fishing, and contribute to a future where our seas remain a vital and sustainable resource,” says Elisa Martínez.

From Menorca Preservation, a member of the Alliance, its director Rebecca Morris states: “We wanted to provide a useful tool to help consumers better understand local species, their vulnerability, and the fishing methods used.”

In turn, from the Marilles Foundation, Aniol Esteban, its director, assures: ‘Consumers, when they choose local fish that has passed through the fish market and has legal and sanitary guarantees, hold the key to guaranteeing the future of our resources and of the Balearic fleet. With this guide we are highlighting the diversity of the product that fishermen bring to our tables and we are appealing to the consumer’s conscience to buy local produce and say no to buying illegal fish’.

The Guide

The responsible consumption guide is available in Spanish, Catalan, and English on the Calant Xarxes Alliance website.

The guide’s distribution will begin on 28 February at the Fishing and Local Fish Fair, coinciding with the celebration of the Balearic Islands Day. Attendees will find it at the OpMallorcamar and the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry stands, located in Plaça Drassanes, during the event taking place in Palma de Mallorca from 28 February to 2 March.

Additionally, the guide will be available at fishermen’s guilds, libraries across the four islands, and events related to Balearic Islands’ seafood products.

For individuals, restaurants, or fishmongers interested in joining the responsible seafood consumption community and staying informed about the activities of the Calant Xarxes Alliance, they can subscribe via the following link: http://www.calantxarxes.org/qr.