Joan Simonet: ‘We carry out these controls to ensure that the regulations are complied with, with the primary objective of protecting the legitimate interests of the sector and consumers, as well as avoiding unfair competition’.
The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, through the fisheries inspection staff of the Directorate General of Fisheries, has filed a complaint for illegal possession of octopus at a restaurant located in Port de Pollença. Specifically, 60 kg of this product was seized, as the establishment did not have any kind of documentation to prove traceability and provenance.
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The Government seized 60 kg of octopus from a restaurant in Port de Pollença for not having the documentation proving the product’s traceability and origin
In this regard, the councillor Joan Simonet stressed that ‘octopus is a highly prized species and is the target of poaching. The Regional Ministry carries out these controls to ensure that the regulations are complied with, with the primary objective of protecting the legitimate interests of the sector and also of consumers, as well as preventing unfair competition. Actions such as these demonstrate the Government’s commitment to defending our fishermen’.
The facts occurred during a routine visit, in the framework of a joint inspection with staff from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to restaurants in the Balearic Islands. The 60 kg of octopus were found in the freezing chambers of this establishment, and distributed among several plastic bags. Due to the good condition of the product, instead of destroying it, it was decided to contact the Palma Aquarium Foundation, to whom the octopus was given to feed sea turtles and other species in the process of recovery.
It should be remembered that, according to Law 6/2013, of 7 November, on maritime fishing, shellfishing and aquaculture in the Balearic Islands, marketing fishery products without justifying traceability and origin is considered a serious offence and can be sanctioned, in addition to the confiscation of the goods, with a minimum fine of 601 euros and which can go up to 60,000 euros. The legal services of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment will now be responsible for investigating the sanctioning procedure.