Environmental NGOs were quick to speak out in support of a new international effort by law enforcement to stop Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The effort, dubbed “Operation Sparrow,” is a collaboration between Interpol and Spanish authorities to investigate “several companies” to probe for links with IUU fishing, according to a statement by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), commenting on the new investigation.
Details from Interpol or Spanish officials are not yet available, but the EJF is alleging the investigation is centering in part on Spanish companies having possible links to IUU fishing in Antarctic waters. The EJF also alludes to allegations from New Zealand authorities of IUU fishing of Patagonian toothfish in the Southern Ocean being linked to Spanish companies.
“European Union member states are demonstrating that their commitment to eradicating illegal fishing is not limited to the EU market, and that no EU citizen should benefit from these operations, wherever in the world they happen,” María José Cornax, fisheries campaign manager for Oceana Europe, said in a joint statement with EJF and Pew Charitable Trusts.
If the investigation produces enough proof, the EJF said this is the first time Spain will issue fines in accordance with new Spanish law regarding IUU fishing.
“By initiating these proceedings, the Spanish Government is demonstrating the strength and potential of EU legislation designed to combat the scourge of illegal fishing,” said Anthony Long, director of the ending illegal fishing project at Pew. “Wherever in the world they are, the perpetrators of illegal fishing are no longer out of reach or out of sight – this legislation, combined with better tracking technology, ensures that.”
