Victory | November 4, 2025
Spain Strengthens Rules on Fishing Vessel Engines to Protect Fisheries
The Spanish government approved a new law that strengthens regulations on the installation and reporting of fishing vessel engines – a key step toward addressing engine power fraud. While operating with overpowered engines was already illegal, authorities lacked the tools to prevent fraud and bring hidden engine power to light. The new rules improve oversight when engines are installed or replaced and require detailed technical information that allows authorities to verify engines before installation. The law also creates a pathway for vessel owners to declare their true engine power, contributing to the accurate reporting and management of fishing capacity. This victory follows a 2025 Oceana report that found 94% of the fishing vessels analyzed in the Spanish Mediterranean were operating with allegedly illegal engines. Fishing with more powerful engines than allowed hides how much fishing is really happening, undermining management and conservation efforts.
