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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA surprising gap in the scientific literature<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the aging of the fleet and the lack of young people is a recurring theme in institutional discourse and fishing forums, the research reveals something striking: of more than 2,400 studies reviewed, only five address generational renewal as a central issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most scientific research on fishing in Europe has focused on economic, ecological, or regulatory aspects, leaving the social and labor dimensions in the background. But without a new generation of fishermen, sustainability\u2014in any sense\u2014is impossible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why are there hardly any young people who want to be fishermen anymore?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The study identifies more than 20 obstacles that hinder the entry of new professionals. Among the most relevant are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. A regulatory maze and little support for small-scale fishermen<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Obtaining licenses, quotas, or boats has become such a complex and costly process that it discourages anyone who wants to get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Current regulations, often designed for large fleets, do not reflect the reality of artisanal fishing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Low profitability and extremely high entry costs<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Buying a boat, equipping it, obtaining permits… The initial investment is enormous, and income is uncertain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In many countries, entering the sector is as difficult as starting a technology company… but without the potential rewards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Harsh working conditions and poor safety<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Long hours, bad weather, dependence on the weather, and one of the highest accident rates among professions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fishing remains\u2014objectively\u2014a hard and risky job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. New aspirations among young people<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The search for stability, work-life balance, and promising careers makes fishing seem like an unattractive option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. A traditionally closed sector<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n For decades, fishing was passed down within families. This model, now weakened, has become a barrier to entry for people with no prior connection to the industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. The scarce presence of women<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite their essential role in the value chain, women continue to face enormous difficulties in accessing the sea. This further reduces the potential for generational renewal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n More than economics: culture, identity, and social cohesion<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n In communities such as Galicia, the Spanish Mediterranean, and the French Atlantic coast, fishing is part of the landscape and collective memory. Its decline affects not only the sector, but also: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 the local economic fabric, <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 tourism and gastronomy, <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 the preservation of traditions, <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 and the transmission of knowledge that cannot be found in books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Losing fishermen means losing maritime culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What solutions does the study propose?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gandia Campus team proposes an integrative approach that goes far beyond training young people: <\/p>\n\n\n\n