Almost a ton of fish products seized, fines for over 26 thousand euros, dozens of checks and as many illicit activities identified.
This is the – still provisional – assessment of the Coast Guard's “E-Fishing” operation conducted in Sardinia with the coordination of the Maritime Directorate of Cagliari , in line with the 2024 Annual Operations Plan decided by the Control Room established at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, as part of a national campaign to prevent and combat illicit activities in the food supply chain, with particular attention to the Christmas holidays.
The operation – which will last until January 2025 – was divided into a preliminary “analysis” phase, during which targets of possible interest were identified through careful monitoring of the territory including through social and e-commerce platforms, followed by a second “operational” phase, which allowed for the implementation of a direct contrast to illegal fishing activities through the execution of previously planned checks.
In detail, the Cagliari Coast Guard carried out 42 checks and 31 inspections, bringing to light 16 administrative offences and one criminal offence. The catch seized so far has been equal to 845 kg, while the fines issued have exceeded 26,400 euros.
At a national level, during 2024 , fines for over 9 million euros were issued and irregular fish products for over 800 tons were seized.
The crimes, explains the Coast Guard, concern the lack of mandatory information regarding the traceability of the catch, which ascertains the authenticity and provenance of the products.
«This operation – declared the Commander General of the Coast Guard Nicola Carlone – is part of a consolidated system of controls, which is constantly carried out by the Coast Guard, at sea and on land, within the scope of its competences in functional dependence of the Ministry of Agriculture,
of Food Sovereignty and Forests, which will allow Italians to purchase safe and quality fish products on the market, guaranteeing a virtuous fish supply chain capable of valorising and protecting the work of operators in the sector who respect current regulations and promoting the product made in Italy".
(Unioneonline/lf)