The Civil Guard of the Maritime Detachment of Fuerteventura has concluded "a complex operation" carried out in Lanzarote during the week of April 7 to 14, in which two people have been arrested and another five investigated, as members of a group of poachers. In addition, several vehicles and boats were seized, and 50 kilos of various fish from the area were also seized (parrotfish, black seabream, horse mackerel, comber, moray eels and rooster fish).
The operation began on April 7, when the Civil Guard became aware of the possible action of a group of poachers who, "in a coordinated manner and with a large deployment of resources", were planning to operate in the Marine Reserve that brings together the surroundings of the Island of La Graciosa and the Northern Islets of Lanzarote. "This Reserve has special protection given its status as a fishing protection zone," they recall from the Benemérita.
Once this information was confirmed, the Civil Guard deployed an operation that, over several days and after gathering a series of indications and evidence, concluded with the “in flagrante delicto” arrest of two people when they were preparing to unload the illegally obtained fish at the San Ginés Fishermen's Association, the official authorized point of entry for fish in Lanzarote.
After this first intervention and the consequent seizure of the fish, a series of actions continued that led to the investigation of five more people, as well as the seizure of several vehicles and inflatable boats. These measures were authorized by the Investigating Court number 2 of Arrecife, which was on duty. Harpoons, fishing gear and means used in illegal fishing were also seized.
The 50 kilos of seized fish, after being weighed, were handed over to Emerlan Emergency personnel for donation to charities.
Organized group
From the investigation carried out as a result of the events and the monitoring carried out, the Civil Guard concludes that this group had been operating for several months. "A repeated activity that was keeping the fishing surveillance officers in check and causing concern among professional fishermen in the area," the Civil Guard points out.
Among its members, "some had a history of similar events for several years and were known to the security forces". "The amount of resources used and the number of people involved is striking to investigators, which gives an idea of the economic importance of their activity," says the Bemérita, who points out that the investigations continue and the operation is not yet closed.
Possible crimes against Flora and Fauna
The crime related to the protection of Flora and Fauna, included in the current Penal Code, establishes that anyone who, in contravention of the laws or other provisions of a general nature, destroys protected species of wild fauna will be punished with a prison sentence of six months to two years or a fine of eight to twenty-four months, and in any case, special disqualification for profession or trade and special disqualification for the exercise of the right to hunt or fish for a period of two to four years.
According to article 335 of the Penal Code, anyone who hunts or fishes for species other than those indicated in the previous article, when it is expressly prohibited by the specific regulations on their hunting or fishing, will be punished with a fine of eight to twelve months and special disqualification for the exercise of the right to hunt or fish for a period of two to five years.
If the previous conducts cause serious damage to the hunting heritage of land subject to a special hunting regime or to the sustainability of resources in areas of concession or shellfish or aquaculture authorization, a prison sentence of six months to two years and special disqualification for the exercise of the rights to hunt, fish and carry out shellfish activities for two to five years will be imposed.
The Marine Reserves of Fishing interest are recognized in Law 3/2001, on Maritime Fishing of the State as fishing protection zones whose purpose is the preservation and protection of areas of interest for breeding, which allows ensuring living resources.
The group is considered dismantled and other episodes are clarified
With the arrest and investigation of this group, the Civil Guard affirms that it has managed to clarify "numerous episodes of illegal fishing" in the reserve areas of the coasts of Lanzarote, "an activity that was endangering the balance in the diversity of fishing and the development of species that gives continuity to fishing, both professional and recreational".
Likewise, they add that "damage to public health is avoided, given the possible commercialization of catches that have not followed the food health measures that ensure their suitability for human consumption".
