Operation conducted for two weeks by the Coast Guard. Depository with oversized specimens without traceability documents seized. Gastronomic preparations made with expired products
About 10 tons of fish products were seized with various illegal fishing gear during Operation Sirio, conducted for two weeks by the Coast Guard, which imposed administrative fines for a total amount of over 52,000 euros.
The controls on the fishing supply chain in the provinces of Catania, Messina, Syracuse and Ragusa, had the aim of verifying the capture, possession and marketing of species that do not correspond to the minimum biological reference size, with particular attention to swordfish, in this period of the year protected by national and community regulations in order to favor its reproduction in order to avoid its extinction in the Mediterranean. The activity was attended by officials of the Capitaneria of Catania, Riposto and Acireale. With the operation, a logistical warehouse was seized for wholesale distribution where over 6 tons of frozen fish species of various types without traceability documentation were found, with a prevalence of bluefin tuna and swordfish.
The checks also revealed hygienic and sanitary deficiencies and the presence of expired products, used for the packaging of gastronomic preparations, therefore all the fish product was sent for destruction at a waste disposal center. In addition, in the province of Catania, over 2,500 kg of bluefin tuna were seized from a well-known producer of canned fish without the documentation certifying the origin. The fish awaiting sampling of histamine by the veterinary medical staff of the ASP of Catania, to ascertain its edibility and suitability for human consumption. In Acireale, 26 specimens of undersized swordfish were found at a wholesaler, which were seized and donated to the Eastern Sicily Food Bank.
February 18, 2022 (change February 18, 2022 | 12:23)
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