The Mauritanian maritime authorities Sunday agreed to release a Spanish fishing vessel, "Bahia de Portosanto", detained last Wednesday for illegal fishing, as soon it pays a fine of 44,000 euros, official sources Monday confirmed.
The boat, which has been fishing since May under an EU-Mauritania fishing agreement, was detained by the Mauritanian establishment which monitors fishing and other activities at sea.
Known as the Delegation of monitoring of fishing and control at sea (DMFCS), the establishment is still keeping the ship’s crew members, including captain Juan Iglésias, son of the ship’s owner, until it pays the fine.
In December 2007, the same ship had problems with the DMFCS when it was involved in a collision in which two fishermen died.
The Spanish embassy is mediating in the case to enable the ship to sail again. Panapress .
