Source & Author: FIS.com
The Government has implemented the plan in which the basic lines of action against illegal fishing are determined, coordinated between the General Secretariat of Fisheries and the Navy.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment (Mapama) recalled in a statement that illegal unreported and unregulated fishing could account for about 26 million tonnes of fish per year, which is equivalent to more than 15 per cent of the total annual production of fishery products.
He has informed that the Secretary General of Fisheries, Alberto López Asenjo and the Admiral Chief of the General Staff of the Defense, Jaime Muñoz Delgado and Diaz del Río, have subscribed this plan on Monday.
By land, sea and air:
The Navy will operate the fishing patrol boats Alborán, Arnomendi and Tarifa and those of the class Toralla; in addition, it will have air support, operations that will be financed by the General Secretary of Fisheries.
Fishing inspectors from the General Secretariat of Fisheries will also embark and will advise the commander of the patrol boat on issues related to fisheries inspection and surveillance, to indicate possible priorities among the different specific objectives.
This plan covers both waters of Spanish sovereignty, jurisdiction, of the Atlantic, Northwest Mediterranean and Alboran Sea, and Community waters of other Member States and international waters under International Agreements and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).
And it includes training activities for both the General Secretariat of Fisheries and the Navy, as well as the adequate preparation in prevention of occupational hazards and health surveillance, with pre-boarding medical examinations that determine the good health of the members of the surveillance, according to the same source.