Portuguese Vessel Fined €50,000 for Fishing off Ribadesella

Source: El Comercio, July 9, 2007
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, and Food (MAPA) has opened up a legal case against a Portuguese ship after Asturian ship owners handed in denunciations claiming that vessels from that country were fishing within the twelve mile territorial limit of the principality.

The ship that has been sanctioned was the Foz de Nazare, a vessel which was surprised while illegally fishing in the Resueste fishing grounds north of Ribadesella. The ministers responsible for protecting Asturian waters agreed that this was a grave infraction. According to first estimates the Portuguese shipowner will be obliged to make a deposit of €50,000 to get back the ship while the case is pursued in the courts. This is the first Portuguese ship that has been sanctioned by the Spanish administration among all those who legally fish with in the Cantabrian Sea since an accord was reached between both countries regarding maritime activities in January 2004. The ship had been fishing on days when the fishing fleet was required to stay in port and it was using equipment that is forbidden by law. After the case is settled the ship will face a fine of up to €60,000.