Mazara del Vallo Coast Guard seizes illegal 200-meter fishing net

The Coast Guard of Mazara del Vallo has sanctioned a 55-year-old fisherman for illegal fishing activities within the Colmata B area of the Mazara del Vallo port. Following a citizen's report, authorities discovered a fishing net exceeding 200 meters in length, held across the water's surface by an intricate system of floats.

After conducting prolonged surveillance to identify the perpetrator, officers caught the individual returning to the site to collect the catch. The fisherman was issued an administrative fine of 1,000 euros, and the illegal net was seized for subsequent confiscation and destruction.

The Colmata B area is officially designated as a construction site intended for the disposal of dredged silt from port works initiated in 2024, which remain incomplete. Due to the ongoing delay, the area has developed into a wetland that hosts various migratory bird species, though it has also been the subject of previous investigations regarding the illegal dumping of waste.