New weapon launched to net illegal fishing offenders in Mallorca

A NEW weapon against illegal fishing has already netted its first offenders on the islands.

Camera-equipped drones with a range of 7km and the possibility of non-stop flight for 30 minutes were put to work for the first time in Formentera this week and, if the pilot scheme is successful, the idea may take off across the Balearics.

The sky patrols, which fly over illegal fishing spots, filming and tagging vessels using geolocation in an effort to curb the illegal practises, caught two boats fishing in protected waters on their first day up and the boats’ owners were later reeled in by port authorities.