G/SCM/Q2/EU/73   
20 April 2022  
(22-3177) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Subsidies and  Countervailing Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  
SUBSIDIES  
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONS POSED BY THE UNITED STATES1 
REGARDING THE NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION  
OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (SPAIN)2 
The following communication, dated and received on 19 April 2022, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of the European Union.  
 
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Questions on Fishery Programs  
Question 1  
As to the program entitled "Start -up support for young fishery workers" , is it consistent 
from a policy and fisheries management perspective to enc ourage new entrants into the 
fishing sector when concurrently there are numerous regional programs in Spain paying 
fishers not to fish? How does Spain ensure that encouraging new fishers does not increase 
overall fishing capacity?  
Reply  
Firstly, the  measure referred to in the question, namely  the start-up support for young fisher y 
workers , is provided for  in both the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) (Article 31) and 
the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF  – Regulation 2021/1139) 
(Article  17.6.a). Its purpose is to encourage generational renewal in the fisheries sector. Support is 
provided  for the first acquisition of existing second -hand vessel s by young fishers. It is only available 
in fleet segments in w hich there is a balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities. This 
support does not increase the total fishing capacity of the Spanish fleet, because it involves the 
acquisition of an existing vessel that is already registered in the fleet. No support exists for the 
construction or acquisition of new fishing vessels.  
Turning to  the part of the question that states "there are numerous regional programs in Spain 
paying fishers not to fish", we understand that it is referring to the support for t he temporary 
cessation of fishing activit ies. However, it should be clarified that this support is granted to facilitate 
the implementation of conservation measures (for example, biological recovery periods). In 
particular, it contributes to reducing fishi ng effort. This support is provided for  in the EMFF 
(Article  33), the EMFAF (Article 21)  and the Operational Programme for the fisheries sector, which 
lays down the European Fund measures  applicable  in our country and the mechanisms for their 
management.  Spain does not have different regional programmes ; there is a single programme for 
the whole  country. The decision  to implement  cessation periods  is taken by the central 
administration , which also establish es basic national  regulations and a single general  scale that is 
applicable countrywide , with a view to ensuring equal treatment for all fishers.  
 
1 G/SCM/Q2/EU/64.  
2 G/SCM/N/372/EU/Add.26.  G/SCM/Q2/EU/73  
 
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  Question 2  
The program entitled "Energy efficiency and mitigation of climate change. Investments 
on board," subsidizes the rep lacement or modernization of engines. Does subsidizing the 
replacement or modernization of engines effectively increase the capacity of fishers? If 
so, what measures are taken to prevent overfishing?  
Reply  
The EMFF may support investments on board that gua rantee i mproved  energy efficiency, th us 
helping to mitigate climate change (Article 41.1) . The measure is also provided for  in the EMFAF in 
the form of support for increasing energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions through the 
replacement or moderniza tion of engines of fishing vessels (specific objective 1.b of Article 14).  
One of the requirements for both Funds is that there may not be  an increase in the capacity of the 
fleet. To that end, any entry of capacity into the fleet must be compensated by the withdrawal  of 
the same amount of  capacity. Movements  in fishing capacity within the fleet are controlled in the 
Fishing Fleet Register. Other measures exist in parallel, such as the establishment of national quotas 
(TACs) and a str ong system for monito ring fishing activity, which warns of  any risk of overfishing. 
The objective of all the measures applied in Spa in is simply to maintain economic activity  in the long  
term, so it is crucial that this activity be environmentally sustainable.  
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