Portal de Cartagena
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It is a regulated species with a high degree of protection and completely harmless to humans
The Civil Guard has enjoyed the cooperation of the Directorate General of Livestock and Fisheries of the Region of Murcia
The Civil Guard in the region of Murcia, with the collaboration of associations EQUINAC, Andel and ASPAC and under the 'Annual Activity Plan of fisheries inspection and surveillance', has developed the operation 'Maximus', a directed research to clarify the alleged illegal capture and sale of a basking shark in Cartagena, which has resulted in the charging of six people suspected of crimes relating to the protection of flora and fauna.
In late July, non-governmental organizations EQUINAC, Andel and ASPAC contacted the Civil Guard to report the alleged illegal fishing of a specimen of basking shark Cetorhinus maximus, and later exploded in the facilities of the Exchange of Cartagena, so an investigation was initiated to verify the information received and, where appropriate, to clarify the crimes.
The result of the information obtained during the investigation and after verifying the accuracy of the facts, the Civil Guard has identified six capture the author of three fishermen who participated in the cutting of the animal and two employees of the Market of Cartagena so location after they have been charged on suspicion of crime on the protection of flora and fauna.
As is clear from the research, the goal of those involved was none other than the economic benefit by selling the captured piece by small parties in local restaurants as if dogfish, another specimen of the family of sharks is sold in different local and traditional tapa.
Another aspect of great importance is the non-existent sanitary control on sharks caught given that although handling operations it carried out in facilities of the market, not the obligatory health checks by a doctor were conducted, generating a risk to the health of consumers future.
A ban on catching protected species and marketing
The basking shark is protected by various provisions of international character:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which includes in its red list of threatened species.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is included this species in degree of protection.
Royal Decree 139/2011, for the development of the List of Wild Species under Special Protection and the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species, also includes the basking shark.
The EU Regulation 2015/104, OJ L 22 of 28.1.2015 establishing for vessels from third countries, the ban on fishing, retention on board, tranship or land when they are in the EU waters basking shark and other species, and for EU vessels in all waters.
In operation, the Guardia Civil has enjoyed the cooperation of the EQUINAC, Andel and ASPAC NGOs and the Directorate General of Livestock and Fisheries of the Region of Murcia.
Spanish six defendants, aged between 32 and 76 years, along with the proceedings initiated have been made available to the Magistrate's Court in Cartagena and the Office of Environment of Murcia.
Source: Ministerio del Interior
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