40-meter illegal net found at Las Teresitas beach with protected species trapped

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Local Police removed the prohibited fishing gear that had captured a guitarfish and four yellow chuchos.

Generic image of an illegal fishing net submerged at Las Teresitas beach.
IA

Generic image of an illegal fishing net submerged at Las Teresitas beach.

The Local Police of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has launched an investigation following the discovery of an illegal fishing net over 40 meters long at Las Teresitas beach, which had trapped a guitarfish and four yellow chuchos.

A large-scale fishing net, considered prohibited gear, was located on the seabed of Las Teresitas beach, near access point number 2 and at a depth of approximately eight meters. The net, measuring between 40 and 60 meters in length, contained several marine species, including a guitarfish and four yellow chuchos.
According to information shared by the police force on their X account, the discovery was made thanks to a citizen's alert. Swift coordination among the involved resources enabled the removal of the net and the activation of the corresponding operation to investigate the incident.
Agents from the Operational Group and the Anaga Service of the Local Police, the Underwater Group of Bomberos de Tenerife, the Spanish Red Cross with the beach rescue service's boat, and veterinary and technical staff from the La Tahonilla wildlife recovery center participated in the removal and operational efforts.