The Lagos Maritime Police have carried out an enforcement operation targeting illegal fishing activities in the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, intercepting a culprit on the night of Monday, 8 June.
According to Portugal’s National Maritime Authority (AMN), officers identified and intercepted a spearfisherman who was allegedly engaging in the activity during a prohibited period.
The AMN said the individual was operating without a signalling buoy, had exceeded the permitted catch limit, and was found in possession of species subject to a closed season.
The operation resulted in the seizure of four kilograms of fish, 17 kilograms of shellfish, and various items of equipment associated with the activity.
As the shellfish were still alive, they were returned to their natural habitat. The confiscated fish will be donated to a social welfare institution. The relevant offence reports have been drawn up.
The operation involved two officers from the Lagos Maritime Police Local Command, supported by a patrol vehicle.
The Algarve’s coast, particularly protected areas such as the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, has long been a focus of enforcement efforts aimed at combating illegal fishing and shellfish harvesting. As a result of this, authorities regularly carry out inspections to tackle overfishing, and the collection of protected species, especially during closed seasons.
Maritime Police and environmental authorities have warned many times over the years that illegal harvesting of shellfish and fish stocks threatens the long-term viability of local commercial fishing activities . Enforcement operations are particularly frequent during the summer months, when increased recreational fishing activity, largely due to the more clement weather, places additional pressure on coastal resources.
Source: National Maritime Authority
Photo credit: Lagos Maritime Police
