Environmental agents from the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha have filed a complaint against an individual caught fishing with a metal net and a landing net in the province of Cuenca during the carp spawning season. The incident, made public through the regional agency's social media accounts on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, once again highlights illegal fishing practices that occur precisely when fish are at their most vulnerable stage, a situation that has already prompted operations against illegal fishing.
These actions are part of a broader context of increased inspections during the spring , when most river species begin their reproductive cycle. Regional authorities insist that the use of non-selective fishing gear, such as metal nets, not only violates regulations but also jeopardizes the recovery of fish populations in rivers and reservoirs in the province of Cuenca, which are already under significant environmental pressure. Furthermore, it highlights shortcomings in the control of illegal fishing in various areas.
Complaint regarding the use of metal mesh and improper landing net
According to information provided by the environmental enforcement agency, the individual was found fishing with a metal net in inland waters of Cuenca , coinciding precisely with the peak spawning season for carp. In addition to the net, he was also using a landing net whose type did not comply with regional regulations, a practice reminiscent of the removal of illegal fishing gear detected in other operations.
The Board recalls that the Fishing Ban Order of 2026The regulation, approved by the Regional Ministry of Sustainable Development and published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha on February 12, expressly prohibits the use of nets, meshes, and other non-selective fishing gear throughout the region's public water domain. These are devices that can trap large quantities of fish. de peces without discriminating by species or size, which has a direct impact on juveniles and breeding individuals.
In the specific case of landing nets, regulations permit their use only as a complement to recreational fishing , but stipulate that they must always be made of non-metallic mesh and, preferably, knotless. This requirement aims to minimize injuries to the skin and fins of fish, which is especially important when practicing catch and release or returning fish to the water.
The complaint filed will lead to the opening of a sanctioning procedure for an infraction related to river fishing , which may result in fines, revocation of permits, and, in the most serious or repeat cases, temporary disqualification from fishing in the waters of the autonomous community. Environmental Agents emphasize that their work is not limited to issuing sanctions, but also includes informing and deterring these types of practices.
The spawning period of carp in Castilla-La Mancha
The common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) adjusts its reproductive cycle to the water temperature. In the Júcar River basin and the reservoirs of the province of Cuenca, spawning usually begins when the water reaches and remains around 18 degrees Celsius. This temperature is typically reached between the last weeks of April and the month of May, although it can vary slightly depending on the year and weather conditions.
During this period, adult specimens concentrate in shallow areas, along vegetated banks, and in calm waters , where they find suitable conditions for egg-laying and fertilization. This concentration facilitates reproductive success, but at the same time significantly increases their vulnerability to all forms of fishing, both legal and illegal.
Interfering with this process by capturing carp during spawning has several ecological consequences. On the one hand, it reduces the number of reproductive adults available for the season, directly affecting population size. On the other hand, it decreases the recruitment of juveniles for subsequent years, altering the age balance and structure of fish communities in rivers and reservoirs.
River management experts emphasize that, although carp is a widespread and resilient species, the combined pressures —intensive fishing, pollution, hydrological changes, and droughts—can take their toll in the medium term. Therefore, spawning seasons are considered crucial times when it is essential to intensify protection measures and enforce fishing bans.
An increasingly strict regulatory framework in Cuenca
The complaint regarding fishing with metal nets during carp spawning season fits within a broader strategy by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha to strengthen the protection of its aquatic ecosystems. In recent years, the province of Cuenca has seen a progressive tightening of regulations governing river fishing, in response to the observed decline in some species.
A significant example occurred in 2024, when catch-and-release fishing for barbel became mandatory in virtually all waters of Cuenca province, with the exception of the Contreras, Alarcón, and BuendÃa reservoirs. This measure was prompted by the continued decline in barbel populations detected in various gauging and scientific sampling.
The 2026 Fishing Regulations not only maintain these restrictions but also expand and update them , consolidating a more stringent regulatory framework for any angler wishing to fish in the region's rivers and reservoirs. Among other aspects, the regulations establish closed seasons , minimum sizes, catch limits, and specific restrictions on bait, fishing gear, and specially protected areas.
In this context, Environmental Agents increase inspections during the spring, paying particular attention to areas where carp are known to congregate to reproduce. These patrols, conducted on foot or by vehicle and boat, aim to detect both minor infractions (such as exceeding size limits or quotas) and more serious practices, including the use of wire mesh, nets, or other mass-capture systems.
The Regional Government emphasizes that the goal is to reconcile the enjoyment of sport fishing with the conservation of natural resources. To this end, it appeals to the individual responsibility of anglers, reminding them of the importance of staying informed about the regulations in force each season and strictly adhering to closed seasons and restrictions on permitted fishing gear.
This latest case in Cuenca thus becomes a clear warning for the fishing community: practices that violate regulations, especially at such sensitive times as carp spawning, have administrative consequences and face legal repercussions. active monitoring by environmental servicesMaintaining healthy rivers and reservoirs, with healthy populations de peces Balanced ecosystems depend largely on compliance with these rules by all users of the natural environment.
