A total of 7.5 tons of seafood seized and twelve fines totaling €30,000 : this is the result of Operation Anisakis , the vast enforcement operation against irregular fishing and the sale of untraceable fish conducted by the Coast Guard between October 10 and 31. The operation spanned central and southern Sardinia and involved the maritime districts of Cagliari and Oristano, as well as the districts of Arbatax, Bosa, Carloforte, Sant'Antioco, and Portoscuso, which carried out inspections on land and at sea to ensure compliance with food safety and fish supply chain regulations.
The spotlight has fallen on the fish supply chain in large-scale distribution , retail , and catering , as well as on vessels, and on inspections at sea to combat illegal fishing of protected species in prohibited areas and times, particularly during the mandatory fishing ban for trawling and the fishing ban to protect certain fish species. "The inspections led to the discovery of 12 administrative violations (mostly in the Metropolitan City of Cagliari) for a total fine of 30,000 euros," the Coast Guard explains, "and the seizure of 7.5 tons of fish."
During the inspections , a facility dedicated to the storage, processing, and distribution of seafood was discovered. Refrigerated units had been set up without health permits, and freezing operations had been carried out in violation of regulations . Three and a half tons of seafood without traceability documentation were seized. During the operation , three Sicilian fishing vessels were also stopped for trawling during an unauthorized period . The captains were fined €6,000 and 150 kilograms of caught fish were seized.
(Unioneonline/vf)
