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 Martรญnez, coordinator of the Calant Xarxes Alliance, explains that: โWith 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.โ
Elisa Martรญnez also highlighted that the guide has been made possible thanks to collaboration with the fishing guilds of Mallorca, Ciutadella, Maรณ, Fornells, Sant Antoni, Ibiza, and Formentera; OpMallorcamar; Peixaterรญa Sa Llotja; the Balearic Federation of Fishermenโs 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. โTogether 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.โ she affirmed.
Meanwhile, Xavier Marquรจs, the main skipper of the Ciutadella fishermenโs guild, says: โWe 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 wayโ.
Antoni Marรญa Grau, Director General of Fisheries of the Balearic Islands, emphasises: โConsumers 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 Direcciรณ General de Pesca and the commitment to try to go further, in particular to identify or certify recommended establishmentsโ.
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 โthe development of the guide was based on a scientific approach, and we would like to thank Marina Bagur, the guideโs 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.โ
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: โSustainable fishing starts on our plate. It is everyoneโs responsibility to be more conscious consumers, support Balearic Islandsโ fishermen, mitigate illegal fishing, and contribute to a future where our seas remain a vital and sustainable resource,โ says Elisa Martรญnez.
From Menorca Preservation, a member of the Alliance, its director Rebecca Morris states: โWe wanted to provide a useful tool to help consumers better understand local species, their vulnerability, and the fishing methods used.โ
In turn, from the Marilles Foundation, Aniol Esteban, its director, assures: โConsumers, 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 consumerโs conscience to buy local produce and say no to buying illegal fishโ.
The Guide
The responsible consumption guide is available in Spanish, Catalan, and English on the Calant Xarxes Alliance website.
The guideโs 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 Plaรงa Drassanes, during the event taking place in Palma de Mallorca from 28 February to 2 March.
Additionally, the guide will be available at fishermenโs guilds, libraries across the four islands, and events related to Balearic Islandsโ 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.