Four illegal "large" fish traps have been located and removed from the coast of Yaiza, in an operation carried out by agents of the Civil Guard of Fuerteventura, with the collaboration of diving centers in the town of Corralejo.
The fish traps, more than 2.5 meters in diameter, were located in the maritime zone of the Strait of La Bocaina, between the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura; more specifically in the area of Punta Papagayo and Pechiguera. All were illegally anchored at a depth of about 17 meters, and about 250 meters from the coast.
The Civil Guard recalls that this area is considered of biological interest. In addition, it explains that "at the time of their discovery and seizure, a large quantity of live fish of various species could be released, which had been trapped in the aforementioned fish traps."
These fishing gears, allegedly used by poachers, lacked the corresponding identification plates, so it has not been possible to identify the perpetrators of this illegal practice, which is classified as a serious infraction in the Canary Islands Fisheries Law.
The seized effects were made available to the Vice-Ministry of Fisheries and Water of the Government of the Canary Islands for their subsequent destruction, thus avoiding the future reuse of the same for illegal fishing activities.