For many people, it may seem that being a fisherman is a romantic profession that embodies peace and freedom. However, the truth is that fishermen face many challenges that go far beyond the romantic stereotype. And although there is plenty of fish in the sea, unfair competition and the lack of moorings are proving to be serious challenges.
Every morning before dawn Stefan and his colleagues set out in their boats hoping for a good catch. He says he gets up at 4:00 a.m. and then prepares the rods, tackle and the engine. “There is fish, we are satisfied. The saffron season has started, the fish have been sold this year: Stefan Donev tells Nova TV.
But with a lot of fish comes a lot of problems.
„Every year it becomes more and more difficult. From everywhere, someone is looking to create some kind of trouble for us. Recently, there has been a problem with the marinas, adds the fisherman Plamen Kirilov...
Donev says that they are afraid to enter the sea, even though all their documents are in order. “Going back to the marina, we wonder if we should stop, what to do. "They shouldn't write us an act, because they are chasing us from everywhere," he says.
Besides the lack of regulated moorings, however, a big problem for fishermen is unfair competition that undercuts prices.
„For reducing prices on the one hand, recreational fishing, which is unregulated fishing, has a great influence. Those boats you saw today in the sea are the 100's. Of these all boats, maybe 10-15 have commercial fishing licenses and the right to do commercial fishing and of course to sell fish. All others are amateurs, and according to the law on fisheries and aquaculture - amateurs are entitled to 3 kg. catch for personal consumption," adds Velislav Vangelov, chairman of the fishing association.
According to the fishermen, there is also a lack of regulation in the sale.
Vangelov specifies that there is no regulated market anywhere in Bulgaria.