More than a ton of cockles were seized last Saturday in Faro, for not having the legal minimum size. The cockle had an estimated value of 5250 euros.
The seizure was made by the GNR Coastal Control Unit, as part of an inspection aimed at the preservation of marine species, safeguarding the fauna and flora of coastal areas, as well as the illegal capture of bivalves.
The military found 31 sacks containing cockles in the water, with a total of 1054 kilograms.
"By analyzing the bivalves, it was possible to verify that they did not have the minimum legal size provided for by law, namely 25mm", says the GNR.
The UCC emphasizes that 'this illegal practice is recurrent in the Ria Formosa, since the cockles collected there are used, in most cases, for the Spanish manufacturing industry'. Fines for the capture of immature bivalves can amount to 37.500 euros.
The seized cockle was returned to its natural habitat.
Comments