The Command of the Civil Guard of Las Palmas throughout 2023 reduces by 20% the administrative infractions for illegal fishing in the Province of Las Palmas, due to the increase in surveillance and control of the coasts by land, maritime and air units.
Fishing in the Canary Islands is linked to a socio-economic activity that has evolved since the entry into force of the Canary Islands Fisheries Law (17/2003, of April 10) and its Regulations. From that moment on, the regulations were ordered in a more exhaustive and consistent manner with the regulations applicable in the State and the EU.
The Civil Guard works in a coordinated manner with other administrations for the preventive control of illegal fishing and in matters of food safety framed in compliance with the legislation on Regional, State and European Union fisheries for the maintenance and conservation of marine resources and the protection of consumers.
Today, illegal fishing still exists and the Civil Guard in the Canary Islands participates in the control of fishing in poaching mainly actively through all its Units, mainly with the specialties of the Tax Service, Maritime Service and SEPRONA, said police actions established within the framework of the exercise of their powers.
Problems of illegal fishing
The Civil Guard detects two major problems related to illegal fishing in the Province, one of them is all those actions that pose a risk to the conservation of species, both those of fishing interest, as well as those protected species such as the Angelote and Guelde, requiring plans and strategies for conservation and protection in order to have sustainable fishing. Therefore, catches must respect the established quotas and the minimum sizes and weights according to species, ensuring with some solvency the continuity of fishery resources and their controlled exploitation.
And on the other hand, the lack of control that puts the health of consumers at risk, due to the lack of traceability with its risks of intoxication by catches in prohibited places and lack of sanitary measures in the conservation chain. In addition, the illegal fishing of specific species that may be intoxicated by being captured in areas at risk of contamination and that enter the circulation of fishmongers, restaurants, bars and others, put the final consumer at serious risk, especially by consumption of mollusks and seafood with biotoxins, produced by algae, having serious consequences such as diarrheal, amnesic, neurotoxic these three by mollusks and ciguatera (fish).
The objective of the Benemérita is to avoid fishing in excess of quotas, capture without minimum sizes, fishing in prohibited places and prevent the product from reaching the consumer without having passed the traceability control, without complying with the cold chain, street vending, conservation and handling lacking hygienic measures, thus achieving the protection of fishery resources, the conservation of species and the prevention of consumer health (in severe cases of intoxication can lead to death).
For more details, you can contact the Press Office of the Command of the Civil Guard of Las Palmas, through the contact telephone number 928320400, dialing extension 1610181/82.