Spanish Civil Guard Seizes Illegal Driftnets from Moroccan Fishing Boats off Ceuta Coast

The agents detected the presence of several fishing vessels flying the Moroccan flag and decided to inspect them. This is how they discovered that they were carrying driftnets, the use of which is prohibited by the European Union and Morocco due to the damage they cause to the seabed and various species.

The fishing boats were transferred to the Maritime Service base and the nets were seized, reports El Faro de Ceuta. The Armed Institute has proposed sanctions for the Moroccan fishermen who were carrying out this illegal activity which causes real disasters and the death of many species.

Last Saturday, a baby turtle trapped in a drifting net in San Amaro was rescued. Several dolphins and other species die because of the use of these fishing gear banned by the UN in 1992, the EU in 2002 and Morocco in 2011.