The Directorate General for Fisheries and the Marine Environment, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has denounced several recreational boats in Mallorca for fishing green fin tuna during the closed season and without the minimum size. The fisheries inspection service opened the complaint files after routine inspections in ports in the island’s Migjorn area.

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In all the cases reported, the recreational fishermen had fished verderols with a size of fewer than 30 centimetres and had not cut off the fish’s tail, which is obligatory for this type of commercially valuable species.

The closed season for green fin tuna, for specimens smaller than 30 centimetres, runs from 1 July to 15 September. Furthermore, in the case of Eivissa and Formentera, in inland waters and up to 6 nautical miles from the coast, the closed period extends until 30 September. Tagging is compulsory for this commercially valuable species. The marking consists of a cut to the lower lobe of the fish’s caudal fin that must be made before landing in the case of boat fishing, or as soon as it has been caught, in the case of fishing from land or underwater fishing. Species of commercial value include, among others, John Dory, megrim, cap-roig and dentex.

According to Law 6/2013, of 7 November, on sea fishing, shellfishing and aquaculture in the Balearic Islands, it is considered a serious infringement to fish for species that are not permitted or on prohibited bottoms or in closed areas or seasons and to catch species of size or weight less than those established by regulation. These infringements may carry a fine of up to 30,000 euros.