Traditional wooden boats face decline due to lack of support, generational turnover, and EU regulations.
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Wooden boats, from ancient Greek caiques to modern local vessels, have been integral to maritime life for centuries but are now facing decline due to obsolescence or lack of resources. In Spain, when owners retire without generational replacement, they must sell or scrap their vessels, often bearing the full cost of scrapping with no financial return. Despite existing support mechanisms, European regulations prioritize fleet modernization and decarbonization, which disproportionately affects small, traditional wooden fishing boats, largely excluding them from renewal programs. Unlike countries such as Greece or France that offer aid for scrapping, Spain lacks both national and EU assistance for building new vessels compliant with modern standards, forcing fishermen to fund everything themselves. The overall fishing fleet has shrunk significantly in recent years, with smaller artisanal craft being the most affected due to material limitations and lack of succession. While some traditional boat maintenance continues through private initiative, religious activities, or tourism (as seen in Croatia and Lithuania), the sector struggles with a critical shortage of skilled labor and insufficient institutional support. Experts call for changes to Common Fisheries Policy, including better funding for renewal and simplification of bureaucracy, emphasizing that people must be central to European policy to ensure the survival of both fishing communities and maritime heritage.
