On Thursday, the Spanish Civil Guard apprehended three Moroccan fishermen from the Belyounech region. The trio was caught red-handed while fishing a bluefin tuna weighing approximately 90 kilograms, a species protected by law and off-limits for capture. The newspaper «El Faro de Ceuta», citing official sources, reported that the Civil Guard's maritime unit intercepted the Moroccan vessel in the early hours near the entrance to the port of Ceuta. The illegally caught tuna was found onboard. The three fishermen are set to appear before the Spanish judiciary on charges of violating natural and environmental resources. If convicted, they face either a hefty fine of up to 60,000 euros or a criminal penalty, pending the court's ruling. Seprona, a unit of the Spanish Civil Guard that enforces environmental laws, protects nature and wildlife, and investigates environmental crimes, is compiling a comprehensive report on the incident. This report will determine whether the act constitutes an administrative infraction or a criminal offense. Under Spanish law, fishing protected species like bluefin tuna is deemed an environmental crime. Any illegal activity that threatens wildlife or their habitats is subject to legal penalties.
