Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1062629
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 DECEMBER 2018 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Fuentes group in Spain has been accused by the Spanish Civil Guard of having used its large network of fishing companies and distributors to import undeclared tuna from Malta, and market it in Spain and internationally. Sources that spoke to the Spanish press estimated a total of 2,500 tonnes of il- legally-caught tuna was among a legal catch of 1,250 tonnes that had been im- ported annually by train and plane – at an estimated value of €23 million for just the illegally caught tuna. 79 people have been arrested in Spain in connection with the investigation by the Civil Guard's wildlife crime unit (Ucoma). Investigations began with the surveil- lance of the Pescnort Mar and Mafishval companies in Valencia, suspected of be- ing the cover for the importation of ille- gal or overfished tuna from Malta. That tuna is suspected to have been imported into Italy by truck, and finally distributed to a host of companies in Va- lencia, among the Fuentes group, which are suspected to be at the top of this net- work of companies. The Pescnort and Mafishval outfits were responsible for distribution and exportation of the illegal tuna catches. In the spate of arrests that followed throughout 2018, Fuentes Group broth- ers José and Juan Pedro Fuentes were also arrested by the Civil Guard in June – since then having been released with pending charges. The Fuentes Group has insisted its sales of fresh tuna are legal and traceable and that "there are no imports from Malta, only some specific purchase operations if that were the case." In Malta, Cappitta al- so denies that Mare Blu is a key player in the investigation or that it is involved in the Spanish investigation. "We just know that there is an investigation in Spain, that involves a great number of compa- nies all over the country," he said. Questions sent to the director of Malta's department of fisheries and aquaculture Andreina Fenech Farrugia as to whether the DFA is investigating the Malta allega- tions were answered by the environment ministry, which said police are following the case with Spanish counterparts. "It is the local police who are liaising and following accordingly with their Span- ish counterparts. The DFA is awaiting the outcome of these ongoing investiga- tions," the spokesperson said. "It must be highlighted that the De- partment of Fisheries and Aquaculture was and remains committed to contin- ue striving in ensuring that all the tuna farms in the Maltese territorial waters operate within the provisions of the law. In fact, as outlined in a a press statement issued earlier this year, various additional controls were introduced upon the iden- tification of a number of discrepancies." The Federation of Maltese Aquaculaty- ure Producers has now appointed a law- yer in Spain to follow the investigation. It has so far insisted that a statement re- leased by Europol after the arrests made in Spain suggested that the tuna was im- ported from Italy, and that no reference was made to fish specifically fattened in Maltese tuna farms – but fish that could have been caught in Italian and Maltese waters: a fundamental difference for the tuna farming industry. On its part, Mare Blu has declined to give any additional comment to Malta- Today over its latest annual figures: de- spite a year of booming sales of tuna. In 2017 the company's sales went up from €53 millon a year earlier to €56 milion. However the company's pre-tax profit of €7.9 million in 2016 went down by 152% in 2017 to a loss of €11 million. Auditors released the accounts with a cautionary note, saying adequate ac- counting records had not been kept and a rise in Mare Blu liabilities had posed doubt on whether the company could continue as a going concern. In fact, the company registered a doubling of "re- lated party" creditors in 2017, of €37 mil- lion: unsecured loans, with no fixed date of repayment, and at interest rates of 3% or zero rates to Fuentes companies and subsidiaries. "The allegations that you have pub- lished about Mare Blu Tuna Farm Ltd are incorrect, and we consequently decline to make any additional comments. "We are reserving our position on what has been published to date, and inform you that we shall take legal action if any further false information, even if quoted from other media, is published in your media," Cappitta said. MaltaToday has not suggested any form of wrongdoing on Mare Blu's part but requested a comment on press re- ports and other public statements made on the company. mvella@mediatoday.com.mt Spanish investigators say Fuentes used codes from farmed tuna on invoices for illegal catches The Fuentes Group has insisted its sales of fresh tuna are legal and traceable and that "there are no imports from Malta, only some specific purchase operations if that were the case"