Agents from the Candelaria Main Post successfully intervened against poaching on the coasts of Tenerife. During a surveillance operation, they caught three individuals fishing in a restricted maritime zone, which resulted in the seizure of 22 kilograms of marine products.
The operation led to the removal of 11 cephalopods and 12 fish from the illicit market, all caught in clear violation of Law 17/2003, of April 10, on Fishing in the Canary Islands. This action highlights the authorities' commitment to protecting the marine ecosystem and the safety of offenders.
Those involved were not only operating in a prohibited area but also lacked the necessary licenses for any extractive activity. Furthermore, they were using illegal fishing gear, tools that are banned due to their destructive impact on marine ecosystems and local fauna. A serious additional oversight was the absence of the mandatory signaling buoy, a crucial safety element for fishermen in maritime traffic.
The Canary Islands Fishing Law is particularly strict with these behaviors, categorizing sanctions into three levels of severity that can lead to devastating economic consequences for offenders.
As a result of the intervention, nine administrative infractions were reported. Penalties for illegal fishing in the Canary Islands range from minor fines of 60 to 300 euros, to very serious infractions that can reach 300,000 euros. The seizure of these 22 kilos of fish and cephalopods serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting regulations to preserve Tenerife's natural resources and the marine biodiversity of the Canary Islands.
