Incident Involving Fishing Vessel in Gibraltar Waters

On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 10:15 hours, officials from the Environmental Protection and Investigation Unit observed the Spanish commercial fishing vessel 'La Rapida' operating in the British Territorial Waters of Gibraltar, near Punta Europa. The officials noted that the vessel, owned by Leoncio Fernández, was using longlines for fishing and captured three rays, a protected species under the Nature Protection Act of 1991.

Intervention in Gibraltar Waters

Fernández was instructed to return the protected species to the water and was informed of the prohibition against fishing without a valid permit in the British Territorial Waters of Gibraltar. However, Fernández refused to comply and was reported for:

• Fishing with longlines without a valid permit.
• Capturing a protected species, namely three rays.

Legal Consequences and Fisherman's Response

Upon receiving the report, Fernández responded in a verbally abusive manner and threatened the officials. At the end of the intervention, he was escorted out of British waters where officials confirmed that he did not release the captured rays.

Regulation and Compliance

This incident highlights the importance of adherence to environmental regulations and the necessity of respecting international laws regarding fishing. The Gibraltar Licensing Authority will ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent future incidents. This case also underscores the relevance of obtaining proper permits to operate in specific waters.