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Vessel suspected of being involved in IUU fishing activities. (Photo: neafc.org)
Link between illegal fishing and Spanish companies investigated
SPAIN
Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 21:40 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA) is carrying out further inspections in companies based in Spain for alleged links with vessels included in the list of illegal fishing in the Convention for the Conservation of Marine Living Resources in the Antarctic (CCAMLR), and which are not related to Operation Sparrow.
After investigating for several months, fisheries inspectors are collecting physical and electronic documents at the headquarters of several firms in the provinces of A Coruña, Pontevedra and Ourense.
The surveyed companies and their top executives could face penalties of up to EUR 600,000 per very serious infringement detected, and the disqualification to perform fishing activities.
The new operation, dubbed Sparrow 2, is more complex than the previous one due to the different locations of the companies inspected.
It is anticipated that in the coming days inspections that have been authorised by Court continue being carried out under the Regulatory Law of Administrative Jurisdiction and under the Security Forces of the State.
As soon as Sparrow 2 operation finishes, the MAGRAMA will start "a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the gathered documentation."
The Ministry stresses that such investigations reaffirm the commitment and leadership of Spain in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to pursue any possible Spanish links with illegal catches.
Related articles:
- Conservation groups welcome Spain’s steps against illegal fishing
- Inspection of companies for alleged link with illegal fishing boats
By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
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