A professional boat is sanctioned for fishing in the Eastern Peninsula Marine Reserve

The detection, possible thanks to the electronic localization system, compulsory for the whole fleet with base in the Balearic Islands, could lead into a sanction of up to 60.000 euros and the loss of the licence.

The Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Medio Natural has informed of the detection of a professional fishing ship with base port in Cala Rajada that deployed a longline in the inside of the integral area of the Eastern Peninsula Marine Reserve. The infraction has been detected thanks to the signals of the VMS tracking device (known as green box), mandatory for the whole fleet with base in the Balearic Islands. The ship has already been object of previous mistrust due to irregular behavior. Before these facts, the Conselleria will open a sanctioning expedient due to a possible breach of the 6/2013 Law, of fishing, shellfish and aquaculture of the Balearic Islands. Simultaneously, a copy of the inspectors record has been redirected to the General Secretary of Sustainable Fishing of the Agriculture, Fishing and Alimentation Ministry, that have also constated the presence of the alleged infractor in exterior waters.

The general director Fishing of the Government, Antoni M. Grau, has reminded that “fishing in the areas of integral reserve is completely prohibited and supposes a severe gap, according to the Balearic fishing Law”. The 113 article of the law typifies as a severe misconduct the exercise of professional fishing in prohibited areas, with sanctions that can reach the  60.000 euros and the withdrawal of the licence. According to Grau, “this kind of practices, in addition to being an infraction, also suppose a mockery to the rest of professional fishmongers, majoritarily committed to the conservation of marine resources and sustainable fishing. For this reason, from the Government we act solidly and in consequence before any sign of fishing in these integral areas”.

It is important to point out that the detection has been possible thanks to the Localization and Tracking Fishing Vessels of the Balearic Islands System (SLSEPIB), an electronic device managed by the Government, which sends a signal every three minutes, with a precision very superior to the VMS statal system, that is only mandatory for boats over 15 meters of length.

Declared by the Government on March 17th, 2007, by suggestion of the Fishmongers Cofrady of Cala Rajada, the Eastern Peninsula Marine Reserve occupies 4.657 marine hectares, of which 1.900 belong to the integral reserve. Afterwards, the State created the Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest of Eastern Mallorca-Cala Rajada, with 6.646 hectares, of which 103 are of special protection.

The area has a great diversity of habitats and species: up to 32 marine communities and over 900 registered species, amongst seaweed, fish and molluscs. The posidonia oceanica meadows and the coralligenous seafloors stand out, key ecosystems for marine biodiversity. In the reserve, artisan professional ships of Alcúdia’s and Cala Rajada’s cofradies operate, as well as recreational ships of the nearby ports.