Components of the Fuerteventura Maritime Detachment, belonging to the Provincial Maritime Service of Las Palmas of the Civil Guard, in collaboration with personnel from the operational and monitoring service of the Marine Reserve, dependent on the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), through the General Secretariat of Fisheries, have seized a total of 230 kilograms of fish from the La Graciosa Marine Reserve, after detecting illegal fishing activity within this protected area.
During the operation, a third-list vessel was intercepted that did not appear on the census of vessels authorized to fish in said reserve, transporting fish illegally caught by trap gear (pots), the use of which is totally prohibited. This conduct constitutes a breach of current regulations contained in the Canary Islands Fishing Law.
The origin of the fish violates different precepts established in said legislation. On the one hand, it is mandatory to have express authorization to carry out fishing activities in the La Graciosa Marine Reserve, whose management is shared between the General Secretariat of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands.
On the other hand, the use of traps within the reserve is prohibited, given that fishing activity in this space is strictly limited to certain modalities. In the case of professional fishing, only very specific traditional gear is permitted, mainly using hooks aimed at specific species, while recreational fishing is restricted to the use of rod, line, or trolling, always with prior authorization.
As a result of the intervention, the professional fisherman was reported for various administrative infractions, after it was verified that he was setting traps —a totally prohibited practice— in areas such as Playa Lambra and Punta La Sonsa, both located within the reserve. According to the investigations carried out, the individual left the gear anchored for several days, returning later to collect the catches. Furthermore, this activity was carried out at night, with navigation lights turned off to avoid detection.
The Guardia Civil has the email address [email protected] as a channel for citizen attention and a way to receive information that may initiate investigations. In this context, Law 17/2003 on Canary Islands Fishing regulates fishing activity within the autonomous community and establishes sanctions for infractions in protected areas, with fines ranging from 301 to
more than 300,000 euros, and may also entail the withdrawal of the license.
Finally, the administrative complaint filed against the professional fisherman has been sent to the Vice-Ministry of Fishing and Agriculture of the Government of the Canary Islands for processing.
