Latest news and stories about maritime law in Portugal for expats and residents.
A new legal framework for High-Speed Vessels (Embarcações de Alta Velocidade or EAV) took effect this Sunday to counter drug and human trafficking. The law prohibits these vessels from operating between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. without prior authorization and mandates the use of automatic tracking systems and clear identification markings.
Fishing gear detected during a maritime inspection operation. Cage traps and main lines were among the materials seized as a precautionary measure. 12kg of 'assorted fish' still alive were returned to the sea.
The government has changed the rules to combat the illegal harvesting of Japanese clams in the Tagus river and other bivalves in other parts of the country. Harvesters are now required to record the movement of live molluscs on paper.
Harvesters are required to register all movements of live bivalve molluscs using a document issued by the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services, exclusively in paper format, valid only within national territory.
Following the inspection, the fishing vessel was diverted to the port of Ponta Delgada in order to proceed with the applicable legal and administrative procedures.
During an inspection operation, the Maritime Police detected a lack of vessel and engine registration, and also seized fishing gear used in the illegal capture of clams.
