
Spain is now home to more inhabitants than ever before. Census data published this week by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), puts the number of people registered as resident in Spain on January 1st 2022 at 47...
Forgot your password?
Feedback is welcome
The Virxe da Blanca ('Virgin in White') is being held off the port of Castletown in the south of the country after an inspection of its practices led authorities to believe the fishermen were guilty of 'finning'.
This is illegal in Europe, although commonplance in east and south-east Asia, where sharks are caught, their fins removed and the remainder of the creature is thrown back in the sea, with the fins – considered a delicacy, especially in China – are typically made into soup.
In the case of the Virxe da Blanca, which has passed every single inspection up to now, the fishermen say they were acting in accordance with EU norms: after catching Blue Sharks (Prionace Glauca) and whilst cleaning them for future sale, the crew cut off the 'anal fins', which are located exactly where the name suggests.
The fishing industry does not consider these 'fins'; rather, an 'attachment' or 'appendix', because they are very fragile and do not serve the same purpose as the 'main' fins.
Sergio López of the Fishing Producers' Organisation (OPP) in Lugo, which the boat – based in Burela - belongs to, says all previous inspections of the Virxe da Blanca's Blue Shark-catching practices have been signed off as legal, and believes the vessel has been impounded due to a 'misunderstanding'.
According to López, the Secretary-General for Fishing has already written to port and fishing authorities, and is hoping the issue will be 'satisfactorily cleared up' very soon.
And Spain's industry for fishing says it is waiting to hear back from its counterpart in Ireland, but assures that the crew has not been formally accused of any offence against EU regulations.
The 13-strong multi-national crew, of whom three are from Galicia, used to fish off Spain's northern coast catching white tuna, known as Bonito in Spain and a popular dish in fish restaurants along the Cantabrian Sea regions, but were experiencing disappointing results from their trade and decided to branch out internationally two years ago.
Photograph: Vesselfinder
Spain is now home to more inhabitants than ever before. Census data published this week by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), puts the number of people registered as resident in Spain on January 1st 2022 at 47...
CUTTING value-added tax on basic foodstuffs has already borne fruit for households in Spain, and the move will continue for at least the first six months of 2023, the national government confirms.
SMALL and medium-sized businesses will get up to €150,000 if they reduce staff's working hours by at least 10% without cutting their salaries, as long as they keep the new system in place for a minimum of two...
'BLACK Friday' comes just once a year, but if you want to buy authentically-national goods for discounted prices, 'Spanish Friday' is your chance.