Brussels to ask Spain over licenses to harvest coral in Catalonia

The European Commission is to ask the Spanish authorities for more details on the harvesting of red coral on the Catalan coast. The move comes after four Catalan MEPs complained to Brussels about the concession of new licenses during the period of direct rule, that is, when the Spanish government suspended Catalonia's self-government following a declaration of independence. 

In answer to a question put forward by the four MEPs, the EU’s Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries commissioner pointed out that red coral is protected under EU law and demands member states “adopt measures to ensure harvesting is compatible with conservation.”

The Commission also pointed out that Spain presented its program of conservation measures in May 2017, and that it will ask the Spanish executive for more information about the permission given to harvest coral on the Catalan coast.

"Only 10%" of coral population in a good state of preservation

In April, Catalan News reported that the Spanish authorities had issued 12 new licenses to harvest coral on the Catalan coast, a move which sparked criticism from political parties and activists in Catalonia.

The authorities said the licenses for some parts of the Barcelona coast and the Costa Brava (from Arenys de Mar to Begur) was to help fishermen “survive,” but a Catalan government report showed that in Catalonia “only 10% of the [coral] population is in a good state of preservation.”