A Young Man Arrested for Organizing Shark and Stingray Fishing Trips in Lanzarote
The Civil Guard arrested a young man on May 19 following an investigation into activity that involved offering shark and stingray fishing trips on social networks. The service was presented as a tourist attraction, which the Benemérita regards as a crime against fauna.
The case began when Civil Guard agents monitored a social media post and a traveler review platform promoting the service as a professional fishing guide. The advertisement claimed the capture of large protected species and quoted a price near 150 euros, a figure that is clearly prohibited by law. The authorities then launched a formal inquiry into the offer and its execution.
Officers verified the broadcast through social media after receiving tips from environmental groups and conservation advocates. The reports documented that the fisherman allegedly captured several specimens, including endangered species, and these actions were photographed and shared publicly.
Among the species identified in the posts were sharks commonly protected or restricted by conservation laws, including the silky shark, hammerhead species, and other sharks listed as vulnerable. The collection also reportedly included various stingrays that are protected by local or national rules. The use of such species in commercial ventures prompted serious concerns among environmental protection organizations and the public alike, who condemned the conduct as harmful to biodiversity.
Specifically, the posts identified the act as involving the fishing of silky sharks, blue sharks, hammerhead sharks, angel sharks, mantas, and different stingray species. Each of these species is protected under law, and their capture for commercial purposes is regulated or prohibited in many jurisdictions to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The Civil Guard examined the images shared on social networks and traced the location to the southwest coastline near Playa Quemada, within the Los Ajaches Nature Reserve in Lanzarote. This area is known for its protected status and unique marine biodiversity, making the activity particularly troubling to conservationists and authorities alike.
News from the investigation indicates that the individuals involved portrayed themselves as involved in a specialized fishing enterprise. In statements to the media, the accused admitted to presenting themselves as a guide while reportedly avoiding legal responsibilities by fishing from shore with a basic tackle, protected from regulation by the perception of casual shoreline activity. According to the Civil Guard, this portrayal raises concerns about the legitimacy of the operation and the oversight of such activities in protected zones.
The actions described are viewed as environmental damage to several species, including silky sharks, blue sharks, hammerhead sharks, angel sharks, mantas, and various rays. The case has been moved to the jurisdiction of the appropriate Arrecife conservation court, where prosecutors and judges will determine liability and penalties in line with environmental protection statutes and marine wildlife conservation laws. The investigation continues as authorities gather additional evidence to support the charges and the overall environmental impact assessment of the incident.