The Naval Air Operations Department of the Guardia di Finanza of Ancona has seized approximately 4,000 specimens of “sea urchins”, illegally fished in the waters facing the Riviera del Conero.
The action carried out by the financial police of the Naval Air Operations Department and the Ancona Group, was concentrated in the stretch of coast south of the province of Ancona with the use of both land patrols and naval units.
In particular, the crew of the naval unit of the Corps already patrolling along the coast of the province of Ancona, spotted, during the night, a small suspicious vessel that was moving slowly, near the cliff near the Cardeto Park.
The patrols on land were thus alerted and, after a long wait, they surprised two poachers as they were preparing to return to shore with a “booty” of around 4,000 sea urchins.
The offenders were given administrative fines totalling €4,000 and the cylinders used and the entire catch were seized.
The fish product was immediately thrown back into the sea, so as to ensure its survival and guarantee the repopulation of the seabed, also in consideration of the important task entrusted to these small animals in protecting the balance of the marine ecosystem.
It is important to remember that fishing for “sea urchins” is prohibited throughout Italy in the months of May and June, to allow them to reproduce. Furthermore, sport fishing can be done without the use of scuba gear (tank), for a maximum of 50 specimens per person and the sale and marketing of caught products is strictly prohibited, as they lack suitable documentation on their traceability and therefore potentially dangerous for public health.
The Ancona Naval Air Operations Department, by virtue of its exclusive prerogatives as Maritime Police and Economic-Financial Police, pays particular attention to combating fraudulent fishing and the subsequent illegal trade, while ensuring the protection of public health and a healthy economy.
