94% of fishing vessels analysed by Oceana in the Spanish Mediterranean operate with allegedly fraudulent engines
Press Release Date: October 1, 2025
Location: Madrid
Contact:
Irene Campmany | email: icampmany@oceana.org | tel.: +34 682 622 245
Engine manipulation undermines the effectiveness of fisheries management measures, as official figures underestimate the real impact on marine ecosystems
Oceana unveils in a new report that 94% of vessels analysed1 in the Spanish Mediterranean are equipped with allegedly fraudulent engines, meaning they operate at power level higher than officially certified. In fact, 20% of the vessels studied exceed the maximum power limits established by law. The report identifies extreme cases where vessels certified at 400 horsepower are operating with engines of up to 1,600 horsepower – well above the legal maximum.
This situation threatens the sustainability of marine ecosystems, creates inequalities among fishers, and fosters unfair competition in favour of those who operate with engines more powerful than permitted by regulations.
“Engine fraud fuels inequality and unfair competition between fishers, while also increasing pressure on already overexploited marine resources. It is urgent that the authorities stop turning a blind eye and put an end to this situation” said Ignacio Fresco Vanzini, policy advisor at Oceana.
Engine power is a key indicator of fishing2 capacity, especially for trawlers, as it directly determines thrust force, affects maximum sailing speeds, and enables the use of larger and heavier gear. The systematic manipulation of this parameter particularly undermines the recovery of Mediterranean fisheries, which are managed on the basis of fishing effort.
Oceana’s study focuses on fraud detected in the trawl and purse seine fleets in the Spanish Mediterranean, two fishing methods that require high engine power to deploy and retrieve gear. In this regard, multiple irregularities were identified, such as the manipulation of engine specifications, the alteration of power limiters, non-compliance with the legal maximum power limits.
The findings reveal a systematic and persistent problem, not limited to vessel owners, but also involving fisheries administrations, engine manufacturers and installers, and certification bodies.
Oceana proposes a comprehensive action plan
Oceana calls on the Spanish government to implement a national regularisation plan with clear objectives, defined deadlines and adequate funding to:
- Strengthen engine power control systems on fishing vessels
- Legalise irregular engines in an orderly and transparent manner
- Regulate the speculative market for the sale and purchase of horsepower
- Design selective scrapping plans in segments with higher levels of fraud
- Incentivise the adoption of more selective fishing gear that is less intensive in terms of power and fuel, through benefits such as greater access to resources or additional fishing days for vessels that demonstrate a real reduction in their capacity and fishing effort
These measures aim to ensure all vessels operate under the same rules while safeguarding the marine ecosystems of the Spanish Mediterranean.
The organisation highlights that the fishing capacity limits established by the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy are an essential tool and should remain firm, as they represent one of the last lines of defence against overfishing in the Mediterranean.
Editorial notes and references:
- 1 This report is based on the analysis of 50 vessels in the Spanish Mediterranean. The methodology consisted of fieldwork, on-site observation at various fishing docks, interviews with industry professionals, review of official data from the General Fishing Fleet Registry, as well as consultation of technical and scientific studies and official documents obtained through freedom of information requests.
- 2 Fishing capacity refers to a fleet’s potential to capture marine resources in a given period and is measured primarily in terms of the tonnage (GT) and engine power (kW or HP) of the vessels. An increase in fishing capacity increases fishing effort, which can compromise the sustainability of fish stocks if it is not kept within safe biological limits.
- The 50 vessels analysed officially total 14,393 certified horsepower, while the actual power amounts to 32,980 horsepower, thus doubling the declared fishing capacity.
