SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 19 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The General Corps of the Canary Islands Police, via the Environmental Protection and Cultural Heritage Group of the Administrative Surveillance and Inspection Unit (UVIA), has compiled 13 reports of infractions during the fishing activity control campaign occurring on the island of Tenerife.
The officers have conducted a total of 30 inspections at common poaching sites and near swimming areas.
Among the identified infractions are underwater fishing in prohibited regions, lacking the necessary licence for various techniques, making captures smaller than the regulated sizes, and using a boat hook (a metal rod bent into a hook shape at one end) for octopus fishing, according to a statement from the Canary Islands Police.
The authorities recommend that before heading out to fish, individuals should check the validity of their licence and the legal fishing areas to avoid administrative penalties.
Additionally, the Regional Police indicate that the ‘boat hook’ is classified as prohibited or non-compliant equipment as stipulated by Law 17/2003, dated 10 April, regarding Fishing in the Canary Islands, and may incur fines ranging from 301 to 60,000 euros.
The Administrative Surveillance and Inspection Unit has, among its duties, preventive policing, investigation, and reporting of administrative violations in areas such as the environment and natural resources, tourism management in the Canary Islands, Canarian cultural heritage, tax administration, transport, gambling and betting, as well as other responsibilities assigned to it, in accordance with the Resolution dated 16 January 2024 from the General Directorate of Security.