An official source from the Ministry of Sea confirmed to Lusa that Portugal and Spain proposed a minimum quota of 10,799 tonnes, distributed among both countries after the European Commission suggested a limit of 10,300 tonnes.

Fishermen in Spain and Portugal are "outraged and appalled" because the 10,799 tonnes for this year are clearly insufficient" and "will not guarantee minimum conditions for survival," Humberto Jorge, president of the National Association of Purse Seiner Fishing Organisations, told Lusa.

He added that it was causing the "decline and gradual disappearance of the purse-seine fishing sector in both countries."

Jorge was part of the Iberic representation of the sardine sector which was received in Brussels on Wednesday by the director-general for maritime affairs and fisheries of the European Union.