Twelve hundred kilos of sardines, worth an estimated six thousand euros, were seized on Wednesday at the Docapesca in Viana do Castelo, the GNR announced today.
The seizure was carried out by the Coastal Control Unit (UCC), through the Sub-Detachment of Coastal Control in Caminha, within the scope of an inspection and surveillance action carried out in the area surrounding the fishing port of Viana do Castelo, in order to verify the compliance with the rules regarding the capture, landing, transport, marketing and first sale of fresh fish.
In a statement, GNR refers that, in this action, a vehicle was intercepted and inspected whose driver, 52 years old, presented a transport document and invoice stating that the quantity of sardines he was transporting (about 3.5 tons) did not corresponded to the amount of sardine that was actually being transported (about 4.7 tons). Thus, the amount of excess and undeclared sardines was apprehended, and the respective administrative offense was prepared for “flight to the auction”, punishable by a fine of up to 3,740 euros.
Two vessels licensed for fishing for sardines with siege art were also inspected, two individuals, 52 and 54 years old, were identified and two offense records were prepared for over-catching sardines (exceeding the permitted daily catch limit) – in this case, 2.7 tonnes).
In supervising both vessels after unloading, the authorities verified that none of them had fished on board, with all the captured sardines unloaded. This offense is punishable by a maximum fine of up to 25 thousand euros.
The seized fish, being in conditions for human consumption, was delivered to the auction in Viana do Castelo for weighing and later sale.
Fishing for sardines using art of siege is open from June 1st until July 31st, 2020.
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