Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia has reported that the Spanish Civil Guard yesterday raided the offices of fishing company Vidal Armadores and arrests have taken place linked to allegations of large-scale poaching of toothfish in the Southern Ocean
This follows the extensive operations Sparrow I and Sparrow II launched by the Spanish authorities to crack down on the origins of illegal fishing operations in Spain, although this appears to have been a separate operation with both Interpol and Europol involved, highlighting the international nature of the investigation.
In recent years Spain has taken an increasingly robust line on IUU fishing, having passed legislation that allows any Spanish citizen to be prosecuted for involvement in illegal fishing activity anywhere in the world.
The latest operation has been carried out by the Civil Guard’s SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service) division with raids carried out at locations in Ribeira, Boiro and La Coruña with paperwork, computers and mobile phones seized.
People are reported to have been detained, although there are conflicting reports of how many arrests have been made, but it appears that Antonio Vidal and several family members have been held for questioning. There have been allegations and long-held suspicions that the company has been involved in operations of IUU fishing vessels.
