Almuñécar town hall has taken an important step to support the local fishing industry following the banning of recreational fishing at Punta de la Mona.

The January 2013 measure has raised concerns among fishermen who have fished in this area of the Costa Tropical province in Granada in a sustainable and traditional way for many years.

More than 50 people from Almuñécar and La Herradura gathered on Monday 19 January in the Casa de la Cultura to express their concerns and ask to be allowed to fish again in this protected area, always in an orderly and environmentally friendly way.

The town hall called a special council meeting to respond to the sector’s needs and seek solutions which did not involve the prohibition of its activity, but rather its regulation. The PSOE and Convergencia Andaluza councillors supported the initiative, while the Izquierda Unida and Partido Popular coalitions abstained. The request will now be taken to the Junta de Andalucía to ask the regional government to review the ban and seek formulas for regulation.

Representatives of the Costa Tropical Sports Fishing Association attended and presented their proposals. They demanded to be heard, after waiting months.

The mayor of Almuñécar, Juanjo Ruiz Joya, stressed that his political party has always been in favour of regulating rather than prohibiting: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy Punta de la Mona in a responsible and sustainable way,” he said. He also said that Almunecar’s town hall had already sent several letters to the Junta, asking them to listen to sector demands and to find a compromise between environmental protection and recreational fishing.

Punta de la Mona has one of the highest natural values on the Costa Tropical. It is part of the Network of Protected Natural Spaces of Andalucía and the Natura 2000 Network due to its high ecological richness and biodiversity. On its cliffs as well as on the seabed, you can find unique and endangered animals such the Mediterranean Mandrora, the orange and candelabra corals, and the ferruginous lilith. A wide variety of species live in these waters, including dolphins turtles and protected bird species.

At the beginning of last year, the Junta de Andalucía strictly regulated activities in this area, prohibiting recreational boat and underwater fishing, shellfishing, limiting the navigation of non-motorised vessels and establishing control over diving and other professional or sporting activities.

The fishing industry argues that the activity they engage in is compatible with the objectives of the measures, if the appropriate regulations are applied. They do not need a ban.

The sports fishing association submitted a 30-page legal plan last year that included specific measures to encourage recreational fishing. The plan included a moratorium for the capture and sale of large fish, a limit on the capture and sale of species that are vulnerable, and the creation of closed periods when commercially important species such as sea bass, sea bream and others reproduce.

The proposal was backed by the local council and had around 3,000 signatures from fishing enthusiasts and residents. It was presented to the Junta de Andalucía in Seville, in a meeting with the Director General of Protected Spaces and the environment delegate in Granada.

The sector stressed their activity as part of the local tradition and also that it was sustainable and did not harm the cliffs or the seabed. They added that proper regulations would protect the environmental without driving those out who have lived by the sea and worked there for generations.

The Costa Tropical hopes that a sustainable and responsible agreement will be reached to recognise the right of fishermen in this area, as well as guarantee the conservation of an important part of the Costa Tropical.

The council agreed to update signage at access points and beaches so that fishermen and visitors can know exactly where they are allowed to fish. The town hall has also offered to provide a meeting and activity space within municipal buildings for the fishing association. It also promised to answer all unanswered requests.