Spain introduces key fisheries law: Marine conservation organisations urge Congress to strengthen transparency and tackle illegal fishing
Press Release Date: November 3, 2025
Location: Madrid
Contact:
Irene Campmany | email: icampmany@oceana.org | tel.: +34 682 622 245
ClientEarth, Ecologistas en Acción, EJF, Oceana, SEO/BirdLife, and WWF consider the legislative proposal a key opportunity to improve transparency in the fisheries sector and consolidate the country’s leadership in the fight against illegal fishing
To be effective, the law must address the publication of information on the individuals and entities benefiting from fishing activities
Spain has published and begun the parliamentary process for a new law that updates the country’s fisheries control framework in line with European Union regulations. The text strengthens inspection, accountability, and the imposition of sanctions against illegal fishing, regardless of where it occurs. It also reinforces Spain’s role as a leader in preventing illegal products from entering the European market.
However, environmental organizations warn that the law will fall short unless it addresses one of the sector’s main blind spots: the publication of information on who truly benefits from fishing activities. As explained by ClientEarth, Ecologistas en Acción, EJF, Oceana, SEO/BirdLife, and WWF, the beneficial owner is the individual who ultimately controls or financially benefits from a fishing vessel, which may differ from the registered legal owner, often listed as intermediaries. The lack of transparency in vessel ownership allows sanctions for illegal fishing and other serious crimes, such as forced labour, human trafficking, drug smuggling, or trafficking of protected species, to fall on intermediaries rather than the true beneficiaries.
This includes both Spanish-flagged vessels and foreign-flagged vessels in which Spanish citizens or companies have a stake. This is particularly relevant, as recent investigations by Oceana have shown that 23% of non-EU vessels owned by Spanish interests, a total of 52 vessels, may be registered in countries at risk of illegal fishing, many of which are tax havens.
Ignacio Fresco Vanzini, policy advisor at Oceana in Europe, explains on behalf of the NGOs:
“Spain is a leader in ocean governance and fisheries control, and the approval of this new Control Law is proof of that commitment. To consolidate its leadership and combat illegal fishing, the country must ensure that the law includes transparency measures that expose the true owners of fishing vessels. This will create a level playing field for legitimate operators and ensure that offenders are held accountable.”
Clara Burillo, Ocean Policy Officer at Environmental Justice Foundation, adds on behalf of the NGOs: “Most Spanish fishers operate responsibly, and greater transparency will protect their reputation and competitiveness. Requiring information on beneficial ownership is standard practice in other economic sectors and will allow Spanish fisheries to align with best practices, helping authorities distinguish between good and bad operators and close enforcement loopholes.”
ClientEarth, Ecologistas en Acción, EJF, Oceana, SEO/BirdLife, and WWF urge members of Congress and the Senate to take the following actions:
- Include a clear obligation to identify and register the beneficial owners of fishing vessels.
- Ensure effective sanctioning powers to act against the beneficial owners of vessels involved in illegal fishing and other illicit activities.
- Require that information on beneficial ownership be publicly accessible so that authorities, the sector, and the public can verify which companies truly control fishing vessels.
Editorial notes
This press release reflects the joint work of Ecologistas en Acción, ClientEarth, EJF, Oceana, SEO BirdLife and WWF, which have drawn up recommendations on the draft Law on the Control, Inspection and Sanctioning of Sea Fishing. For details of the NGOs’ priorities, which include greater control, enforcement and reporting, the protection of sensitive ecosystems, the supervision of recreational fishing, the penalty regime and transparency regarding beneficial ownership, please see the joint position paper.
