Oceana has alleged that 94% of fishing vessels assessed in the Spanish Mediterranean are operating with fraudulent engine power, exceeding their certified limits and in many cases breaking the law.
According to a new report, 20% of vessels studied exceed the maximum legal power limits, with some certified at 400 horsepower actually operating engines of up to 1,600 horsepower. Oceana says the findings point to a systemic problem that undermines marine conservation and promotes unfair competition.
“Engine fraud fuels inequality and unfair competition between fishers, while also increasing pressure on already overexploited marine resources,” said Ignacio Fresco Vanzini, policy advisor at Oceana.
“It is urgent that the authorities stop turning a blind eye and put an end to this situation.”
Engine power directly affects fishing capacity, especially in trawling and purse seining, two methods that rely on high power to operate heavy gear. Manipulating engine specifications and bypassing power limiters allow vessels to increase their catch at the expense of sustainability.
The report also accuses fisheries administrations, engine manufacturers, certification bodies and installers of complicity or negligence in enabling this widespread abuse.
In response, Oceana is calling for a national regularisation plan with concrete steps to:
- Improve engine control and enforcement
- Legalise irregular engines transparently
- Regulate the horsepower market
- Scrap high-fraud vessels selectively
- Incentivise low-impact, energy-efficient gear
“All vessels must follow the same rules if we are to protect marine ecosystems and ensure a level playing field,” the report concludes.
Oceana also urged the Spanish government to uphold EU fishing capacity limits, calling them ‘one of the last lines of defence against overfishing in the Mediterranean’.
