The Civil Guard of Ceuta is conducting an investigation against three people for their alleged involvement in the capture and sale of a hammerhead shark , a protected animal whose sale was detected at a stall in the Central Market after images were shared on social media.
The species, belonging to the Sphyrnidae family , has been protected in Spain since 2009, and its capture, transshipment, landing, and sale are prohibited by Order ARM/2689/2009. The case has raised concerns not only about the damage to biodiversity but also about the health risks associated with its consumption.
Start of the investigation and initial tests
The investigation began in September when the Nature Protection Team of the Ceuta Command (SEPRONA) verified posts showing the animal for sale at the Central Market. Based on this evidence, the officers began efforts to identify those allegedly involved.
Through their investigations, the Civil Guard confirmed that it was a hammerhead shark, a taxon included on the IUCN Red List and subject to strict protection under Spanish law, as evidenced by accounts of its conservation . Identifying the specimen and tracing its movements through various points of sale proved crucial in supporting the line of inquiry.
Specimen's route: from sea to market
According to the evidence gathered, the fish was allegedly caught in waters near Ceuta , presumably in the area of ​​the almadraba (traditional tuna trap), then taken to the fishing port, sold at the fish market and finally purchased for sale at a stall in the Central Market.
The investigation suggests that the individuals under investigation participated in various stages of the process: capturing, buying, selling, and displaying the specimen for sale to the public. Proceedings for an alleged crime against flora and fauna have been initiated and forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
This route, if confirmed in court, would demonstrate an irregular supply chain that violates conservation measures and compromises the traceability required by fishing regulations.
Regulations and state of conservation
Order ARM/2689/2009 prohibits the capture, transshipment, landing, and sale of hammerhead sharks in Spain. These restrictions aim to safeguard particularly vulnerable populations and are aligned with internationally applied scientific conservation criteria.
The Civil Guard reminds everyone that compliance with these regulations is not a mere formality: it is an instrument for the protection of threatened marine species and to guarantee the sustainability of legal fishing activity.
Public health and a call for collaboration
In addition to the environmental impact, authorities warn that consuming hammerhead sharks can pose risks due to the accumulation of toxic metals . These types of contaminants tend to concentrate in large predators, increasing the likelihood of adverse health effects, especially in vulnerable populations.
- Avoid buying seafood from unknown origin or unauthorized.
- If you suspect anything, notify the authorities through the 062 or official channels.
- Demand information and labeled suitable in fish markets and points of sale.
- Collaborate with awareness campaigns to protect biodiversity.
From the Ceuta Command, the Civil Guard emphasizes that surveillance remains active and that citizen collaboration is crucial to curbing the fishing and sale of protected species, safeguarding both the biodiversity of the Strait and food security.
The case in Ceuta has once again brought the illegal fishing of a hammerhead shark into focus : the investigation points to a catch near the coast, its passage through the fish market, and its arrival at the market; all despite the ban in place since 2009. With three people under investigation, police action and community involvement are presented as the most effective tools to protect marine biodiversity and avoid unnecessary health risks.