Portuguese fishermen unions are requesting the government to tighten controls and react with firmness against vessels that fish illegally, use banned gear and damage fish stocks.
Merchant Navy Engineers Union leader Narciso Clemente says that confrontations involving Spanish fishermen have increased during this last year and there should be tighter control applied by the Portuguese authorities.
According to union leader Joaquim Piló, many Spanish fishermen are fishing illegally in Portuguese waters, without permits, using banned fishing equipment, prohibited techniques or even being armed.
Piló informs that the restrictions on fishing and high fish price, as a result of the black tide from the Prestige oil tanker adversity, could increase these incidents. Fishermen from the southern areas try to increase their catches to improve their catches by occupying other fishing grounds.