Mallorca fishing boats face 180-day limit in two bays

Mallorca’s bays of Pollença and Alcúdia: a new plan caps fishing by small-scale and shellfish boats based at the affected fishing guilds at 180 days a year. The Balearic Islands government approved the plan on 2 October 2026. It covers the bays’ inshore waters between Cape Formentor and Cape Freu.

The government says it wants to cut fishing activity while protecting the fleet, its catches and jobs. The plan grew out of a 2024 proposal from the fishing guilds of Pollença, Alcúdia and Cala Rajada.

Limits change with the season

No more than 80 boats can be authorised to fish in the area. Together, the small-scale and shellfish fleets are limited to 7,000 fishing days a year.

From February to August, those boats can fish up to six days a week. From September to January, the limit falls to four days, with a break of at least 41 consecutive hours each week. Octopus fishing also faces a 105-day closure.

Trawlers face a separate closure

Trawlers cannot fish in the area from 1 April to 31 August. For the rest of the year, each can fish no more than three days a week.

A committee bringing together government, fishing, science and conservation representatives will advise on the plan. It will initially run for six years and can then be extended in two-year periods, following a report from the committee.

Topics: Nature & wildlife · Environment · Politics · Economy · Pollença · Alcúdia · Palma · Capdepera

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com