The NGO Oceana has uncovered dozens of cases of illegal fishing in protected areas of the Mediterranean, according to a report published on Thursday 12 July.
The report mentions 41 potential cases of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Mediterranean (data from Global Fishing Watch).
These facts were presented and discussed during two meetings of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), during which the countries did not specify whether the vessels concerned had been condemned or penalised, Oceana bemoans in a press release.
The report provides proof of illegal fishing activity in areas closed to fisheries, which are intended to protect young fish and corals.
Oceana has identified over 20 Italian vessels using bottom trawlers that are reported to have fished for over 10,000 hours within a closed area designated to protect young hake fish in the Strait of Sicily. Hake is a species suffering from over-fishing.
The magnitude of illegal fishing in the region could be even worse, Oceana states, as some vessels flying foreign flags cannot be detected. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)