A routine summer inspection turned into a significant enforcement action when a 51-year-old diver was caught off guard by a haul of nearly a hundred small sea urchins. The incident occurred on a rocky stretch near Cape of Orchards in Alicante, and authorities from the Civil Guard Seprona confirmed that the activity violated laws protecting flora, fauna, and domestic animals. The diver faces a range of penalties that could include six months to two years in prison, a fine between eight and twenty-four months, and a temporary loss of certain rights, in addition to a substantial administrative fine for poaching. The Alicante Command reported the potential penalties as part of the case against the alleged offender in this fishing-related offense.
During early summer, officers from Seprona, the Nature Conservation Service of the Alicante Civil Guard, were conducting anti-poaching patrols when they observed the diver emerging from the water with a net containing 78 immature sea urchins. He was wearing a neoprene suit and carried a harpoon gun and a trident, prompting officers to verify whether the activity he was engaged in complied with licensing requirements. It became clear that he did not hold a license suitable for this type of fishing.
Seprona collaborated with the University of Alicante Santa Pola Marine Research Center (CIMAR) to verify the specimens. The examination confirmed that the 78 individuals belonged to the species Paracentrotus lividus, a rock sea urchin. This species, a representative of echinoderms, is currently protected under international agreements such as the Bern Convention and the Barcelona Convention, and its use is governed by prevailing regulations.
According to Civil Guard reports, the rock sea urchin population in Spain spans the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. In the Valencian Community, it is found in limited areas along the Alicante coast and is notably scarce elsewhere. Adult individuals can reach a diameter of up to seven centimeters, and the gonadal development of specimens intended for fresh consumption peaks between December and February.
The Civil Guard underscored the importance of not harvesting sea urchins for the remainder of the year to allow the species to complete its biological cycle. In recent times, there has been a noticeable decline in their presence on rocky shores. As a result, harvesting is tightly regulated and reserved for professionals during periods of maximum maturity. It is strictly prohibited for individuals to engage in underwater fishing of this species.
In addition to the criminal aspects, Seprona referred the case to the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, Climate Change and Rural Development because there is a possibility of a minor offense involving the capture of sea urchins without a shellfishing license (professional use only) and a separate violation tied to the off-season collection. The minor violation carries fines ranging from 60 to 1,200 euros, while the more serious offenses can lead to fines from 601 to 12,000 euros.
The authorities, acting under Court Order No. 9 from Alicante, intervened with the non-licensed gear: a speargun and a trident. The 78 immature sea urchins were recovered alive and released back into their natural habitat as part of the procedure. The diver did not possess the appropriate authorization, and the situation prompted a formal report to ensure all relevant regulations were documented and followed through on.