The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food announced on 23 April 2026 that the Local Fisheries Action Group (GALP) Mar de l'Ebre will support 42 blue economy projects in the Terres de l'Ebre region with €624,104 in aid. This forms part of a wider Catalan initiative to boost coastal economies.
Across Catalonia, a total of 165 projects are set to receive €2.5 million in aid, mobilising a global investment of €6 million in fishing municipalities, according to the department. This year saw a significant increase in applications, with 245 projects submitted, meaning some proposals could not secure funding.
Newly established groups, including Marina de Llevant, Costa Central, and Costa Daurada, exhausted their available budgets, leaving several projects unfunded due to resource limitations. The aid targets public and private operators, such as administrations, businesses, and entities, within the local blue economy whose projects align with GALP strategies.
These Local Fisheries Action Groups manage European funds from a bottom-up, territorial perspective, directing actions towards local priorities. Funded projects aim to increase the added value of fishery products through investments in processing, trade, and catering.
Other objectives include promoting awareness of fishing activities, preserving the cultural and environmental heritage of maritime towns, and strengthening the role of fishing communities in tourism and the governance of marine resources.
Boosting Coastal Initiatives
Notable cooperation initiatives include the implementation of the “Peix de Llotja” (Market Fish) brand in fishmongers across Catalonia, the production of a documentary about the Mediterranean coastal fleet, and the “Família i Peix” (Family and Fish) project, which encourages the consumption of fishery products in households. These cooperation actions received €122,344 in funding.
Regarding the distribution of aid, GALP Costa Brava, which covers municipalities such as Cadaqués, Roses, Palamós, and l'Escala, plans to execute 25 of its 37 submitted projects, with a subsidy of €579,480 and an investment of €765,115.
The Marina de Llevant group will develop 18 projects, receiving a subsidy of €439,312 and a total investment of €650,000. For Costa Central, 20 projects are set to be financed with €405,829, while Costa Daurada will advance 20 initiatives with a subsidy of €368,277.
Growing Investment in Fisheries
Aid from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA) has shown an upward trend in recent years. In 2024, 124 projects were executed, involving an investment of €3 million and €2.1 million in aid. In 2025, 124 initiatives were also financed, with an investment of €3.6 million and €2.2 million in subsidies.
During the Seafood fair, several outstanding projects carried out in 2025 were also recognised. From GALP Mar de l'Ebre, the “Les Cases: Dones i Mar” (Les Cases: Women and Sea) initiative was highlighted, a cultural and educational event designed to raise the profile of women in the fishing sector.
GALP Costa Daurada was recognised for the investment by Savall Precocinats Gourmet to expand its range of products made from market fish. For GALP Costa Central, the magazine 'La Nostra Mar' (Our Sea), dedicated to disseminating maritime heritage, received recognition. The Marina de Llevant group was praised for an entrepreneurial project by a fisherman from Arenys de Mar who acquired his own vessel.
Finally, GALP Costa Brava's “Art i Pesca” (Art and Fishing) project, promoted by the Federation of Fishermen's Guilds of Girona, was highlighted for combining urban art and maritime culture to promote the sector.
For 2026, the department anticipates supporting 165 projects, utilising the full available budget of €2.5 million. This ongoing investment underscores Catalonia's commitment to sustainable coastal development and the resilience of its fishing communities.
