Allegedly illegal fishing boat. (Photo Credit: FIS)

Inspection of companies for alleged link with illegal fishing boats

SPAIN
Friday, March 13, 2015, 01:30 (GMT + 9)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAGRAMA) is inspecting the headquarters of several companies for alleged link with vessels included in the list of illegal fishing in the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

Sparrow operation is developing in companies located in the province of A Coruña, after several months of investigation.

The fish inspection services are dealing with the examination of numerous physical and electronic documentation.

This operation is unprecedented in the European Union (EU); and places Spain at the forefront of the fight against illegal fishing at international level, the ministry communicated in a statement.

The operation could lead to the opening of different sanctioning procedures on maritime fishing.

And along with the important achievements reached by MAGRAMA in the fight against illegal fishing since January 2012, this move makes the country a world reference in the field.

For their part, the fish inspection services are responsible for developing complex investigations in collaboration with partner nations in the fight against illegal fishing, such as New Zealand.

Currently, Spain leads the implementation of the Council Regulation 1005/2008 the European Union (EU) to prevent and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which prohibits national community members their link with vessels listed for illegal fishing.

If the violations are serious, countries can be fined up to EUR 600,000; and they can lose permits to carry out fishing activities.

Related article:

- Fisheries Agency increased its 2014 inspections by 20 pc

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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