Council, Govern join forces “to enhance fishing inspections”

Formentera Council (CiF) cabinet office and rural affairs councillor Bartomeu Escandell held a meeting today with Joan Mercant, the director general of fishing of the regional government in Palma, at the head office of the CiF. Also in attendance were members of the Council's fishing inspection crew and workers on the Es Freus marine reserve of Eivissa and Formentera. Following the gathering the officials took part in a routine check of the island's waters.

The representatives of local and regional government agreed to grant employees of both administrations the ability to board inspection watercraft, allowing marine reserve staff and the Council's surveillance team to work together, “making fishing inspections more effective,” explained Councillor Escandell.

Director General Mercant said the change would “optimise resources,” while nevertheless affirming that the long-term goal was to increase the number of inspection crews patrolling the waters. For his part, Councillor Escandell expressed his hope the deal be renewed annually.