A unit of the Civil Guard's Maritime Service intercepted a van carrying 151,80 kilos of octopus without traceability at the port of A Coruña . The operation is part of routine checks aimed at ensuring compliance with fishing regulations and food safety in Galicia.
Three baskets and two boxes full of octopus were found in the vehicle , but there was no documentation regarding its origin, prior weighing, or unloading point. The absence of this information constitutes a serious infraction under Galician Fisheries Law 11/2008, which requires the identification and control of all catches.
Inspection at the exit of the port of A Coruña
The officers stopped the vehicle as it was leaving the port facilities and, after searching the interior, located the merchandise distributed in several containers. During the search, the patrol verified that there was no documentation accompanying the transport of the fish.
Lack of traceability and unmet requirements
Once the checks were carried out, it was found that the cargo lacked traceability data and mandatory accreditations related to its documentary and logistical control.
- Identification of origin and method of obtaining the capture
- Pre-weighing certificate before transport
- Download point registered
- Legal documentation that covers the transfer
Complaint and administrative action
Following the incident, the driver was reported for transporting fishery resources without the required documentation. The case file was sent to the Territorial Delegation of the Ministry of the Sea , which will be responsible for continuing the sanctioning process in accordance with the established regulations.
Official weighing and destination of the merchandise
The seized fish was taken to the A Coruña fish market for official weighing, which confirmed the weight at 151,80 kilograms. After verifying that the octopus was fit for consumption, the merchandise was donated to the RĂas Altas Food Bank for distribution among social organizations.
Why are these controls being intensified?
The inspection and control of fish and seafood transport aims to curb unfair competition , protect the sustainability of fishing grounds , and ensure that consumers receive products with all necessary guarantees. These actions strengthen the fight against illegal practices that harm the sector and compromise traceability.
Legal framework in Galicia
Galician Law 11/2008 on Fisheries and its implementing regulations require documentation of the origin, weight, and point of unloading of fishery resources. Transporting catches without these requirements constitutes a serious offense that may result in penalties and the confiscation of the product.
This intervention made it possible to remove a batch without guarantees from the commercial chain and, at the same time, ensure social benefit from the product, reminding the sector of the importance of complying with traceability and control procedures that preserve both the resource and legality.
