The provincial maritime branch of the Guardia Civil has identified two individuals for allegedly catching two bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) off the Costa Tropical during the closed season.

How did the police become aware of this act of poaching? Because the two men posted their catch on social media, posing next to the tuna, before releasing them again.

Studying the images, the officers found several visual clues, which allowed them to identify where the photos were taken, as well as determine the time that the photos were taken, which fell during the period when you cannot fish these specimens.

Bluefin tuna is a species subject to a specific regime of protection and fisheries control, meaning its capture within recreational fishing is strictly regulated. The catch-and-release modality can only be carried out during expressly authorised periods and under the conditions stipulated in the regulations.

With the two suspects identified, the police informed them that they had been formally accused of poaching.

Editorial comment: many people can’t get it into their heads that posting something on social media is an act of publishing; i.e. making it public knowledge, so if it is illegal, it’s like running around, shouting your mouth off, admitting to a criminal or administrative offence.

(News: Costa Tropical Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Posting Illegal Activity Online, Bluefine Tuna, Catch & Release, Guardia Civil, Maritime Branch.

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