The Government has brought forward the start of the fishing season for sea bass in the inland waters of Mallorca and Menorca by one day.
It will begin this Sunday, August 31, to facilitate the supply of shrimp for the raor fishing on the first day of the season.
PalmThe Government has reported that this year the fishing of the raor (Xyrichtys novacula) in the inland waters of Mallorca and Menorca will begin on Sunday, August 31, 2025, one day earlier than usual. The Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau, has indicated that "this exceptional modification" was approved by the Balearic Islands Recreational Fishing Co-Management Commission, at the proposal of the sector that supplies the equipment for raor fishing.
"The aim is to promote traditional recreational fishing and also facilitate the supply of shrimp for raor fishing on the first day of the season," he said. However, Grau explained that the measure is in effect exclusively in the inland waters of Mallorca and Menorca, and does not affect Ibiza, Formentera, or the external waters of the Balearic Islands, where the first working day of fishing will be September 1.
It should be noted that in the Pitiusas, this measure remains in place at the request of the island councils. Thus, it is only valid for a few years, such as this year, 2025, in which the first working day for fishing—September 1st—falls on a Monday. "This is a measure that does not jeopardize the sustainability of the resource, which is in an excellent state of conservation," Grau stated.
The Government reminds all fishermen that they must respect the maximum catch limit (50 raores/person/day) to ensure the continuity and sustainability of this traditional fishery. Despite the generally good behavior of fishing enthusiasts during the closed season, these days the Government's fisheries inspection is intensifying its activity in the raor fishing areas to monitor illegal fishing and sanction potential violators.
Failure to comply with a closed season is classified as a serious infraction under fishing regulations and can be punished with a minimum fine of €151 per fish and, consequently, can be very high depending on the circumstances of the infraction.