The Civil Guard detains and investigates 20 people and seizes more than 700 kilos of eel

The ASKEA operation, whose objective has been the fight against poaching and the illicit trafficking in elvers (Anguilla anguilla), has been developed throughout the national territory

Could have reached a value of 1.5 million euros in the market

Much of the seized eel is being reintroduced into the Ebro Delta Natural Park

The Civil Guard, in the framework of the ASKEA operation, has arrested and investigated 20 people and has seized up to 722 kilos of eels with a market value that could reach up to 1.5 million euros. In addition, more than 2,304 inspections have been carried out, in ports, airports, and highway controls.

During the operation, which began at the end of last October, actions were carried out aimed at the prosecution of illegal fishing in its traditional capture areas, such as the Cantabrian area or the mouth of the Guadalquivir; others focused on transit through the entire national territory and, lastly, others aimed at combating illicit traffic through ports and airports.

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Andalusia

In the provinces of Huelva, Seville and Cádiz, the operation "Ave Fénix" has been carried out with the aim of pursuing illegal fishing through the so-called "eel platforms" in the lower section of the Guadalquivir river. During the same, 54 fishing platforms have been dismantled, which not only affected the elvers, but also other species of fishing interest and which, due to their illegal capture, do not reach adult size and thus are reduced their populations. Likewise, numerous fishing gears have been intervened, used for eel fishing.

Murcia

Despite the absence of eel fishing, if there is an adult eel, it is subject to very specific quotas and periods. For this reason, an action has been carried out in the Mar Menor area, with the aim of detecting illegal discharge in ports after fishing. In this way, a total of 200 kilos of adult eel were located in the port of Urrutias, and an investigation was subsequently launched, which is still open.

Lion

In a control on the N-630 road, and after previous information work, a Portuguese vehicle could be detected illicitly transporting European eel. In total, 16 kilos of frozen eels were seized and 2 people were arrested for their alleged participation in these events.

Catalonia

Agents from the Airport Tax and Security Unit (UFSA) at Barcelona's El Prat airport intercepted 6 passengers, on different flights, carrying suitcases in which they illegally transported eels. After the seizures, the SEPRONA of the Barcelona Command continued with the investigations.

On the other hand, the intercepted eels were deposited at the Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA) of Sant Carles de la Ràpita, dependent on the Department of Agriculture, Branch, Fishing, Food and Natural Resources of the Generalitat de Catalunya, in order to guarantee their survival and subsequent return to the environment.

Reintroduction to the natural environment

Today, and once the most suitable conditions and locations have been established, components of the IRTA of the Generalitat de Catalunya and SEPRONA of Barcelona have proceeded to release the specimens intervened in the Delta Natural Park into the natural environment. of the Ebro. In this way, one of the most difficult objectives in the fight against the trafficking of species is achieved, such as the total reintroduction into the environment of the intervened specimens.

Action at European level

It should be noted that at the end of February a period of intensification of the operation was carried out, in coordination with the rest of the countries involved, and in which the OCN (National Central Office for the analysis of illegal environmental activities) has taken part. In total, 17 European countries have participated under the coordination of Europol, and 166 people have been arrested and 1.8 tons of eel valued at more than 5 million euros have been seized.

Problems of the European eel

Trade in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), traditionally recognized as a species for human consumption, was noticeably affected by its inclusion in the CITES Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), before the alarming reduction of the population.

The population decline of the species was such that it made the European authorities have to adopt decisions aimed at controlling its fishing and trade, establishing a quota 0 for exports to third countries, in which there is a strong demand for its consumption.

This operation, whose objective has been the fight against poaching and the illicit trafficking of elvers (Anguilla anguilla), has been developed by agents of the SEPRONA Civil Guard who have had the collaboration of the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. It is part of the Spanish Action Plan against Illegal Trafficking and International Poaching of Wild Species (TIFIES Plan), and the LIFE GUARDIANES DE LA NATURALEZA project.

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