News
A boat using illegal fishing gear to catch octopus seized in Santa Pola

A boat using illegal fishing equipment to catch octopus (Octopus vulgaris) in Santa Pola Bay has been found and taken by the Guardia Civil, working together with Maritime Fisheries inspectors from the Alicante government, as part of a joint operation.
According to a statement from the fishing institute, the intervention occurred on February 5 when fisheries inspectors requested assistance after observing a semi-rigid boat with two individuals on board, one of whom was wearing a diving suit, depositing pieces of pipe on the seabed as traps from the coast.
The occupants of the vessel were identified, and the equipment they were transporting was inspected after it was intercepted with the assistance of the Provincial Maritime Service and the Special Underwater Activities Group (GEAS). The inspection led to the discovery of buckets, tools, and a vial of sodium hypochlorite (bleach). During this initial operation, we recovered the first illicit trap.
GEAS returned to the area to conduct a “thorough search” of the seabed during a subsequent survey, this time with specialised diving equipment. Consequently, eight homemade traps constructed from PVC tubing were discovered and confiscated, with some of them being driven into the seabed using blunt instruments. Live octopuses were contained within four of the cages, and they were “immediately released into the sea.”
The Guardia Civil asserted that the fishing gear was devoid of any signage or identification, which is a violation of current regulations. These regulations mandate that all professional fishing gear be properly identified with the vessel’s name and registration.
The illicit material was seized, and the corresponding sanction proposals were processed after all the checks were conducted by the officers. The sustainability of the marine ecosystem is “significantly endangered” by the use of this form of illegal trap, which targets protected species without control, including juveniles under the regulatory weight of one kilogram.
In addition, this illicit activity “seriously harms professional fishermen” by introducing catches outside of legal marketing channels, such as fish markets. Some of these landings may be sold to the hospitality industry through illegal channels, without the minimum health and traceability guarantees that are necessary for fish products.
The Guardia Civil has issued a warning that illicit fishing is a severe violation of the Maritime Fishing Law and can result in fines ranging from €601 to €60,000.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Costa Blanca
Torrevieja unveils the charity race “5K Steps That Matter by Quirónsalud” in aid of AFECÁNCER

Quirónsalud Torrevieja Hospital today presented the charity race “5K Steps That Matter” at Torrevieja Town Hall, as part of the hospital’s 25th anniversary celebrations. All proceeds from the event will be donated in full to AFECÁNCER, a local association supporting cancer patients and their families.
The race will take place on Sunday 25th May at 9:00 am in the Parque de las Naciones in Torrevieja. The event offers various categories suitable for all ages and fitness levels, including a 5K run, Nordic walking, children’s races, and a range of family-friendly activities.
This community event is held in collaboration with the Torrevieja Town Council, through its departments of Sports and Health, as well as the Torrevieja Athletics Club and the Brotons Group.
The event’s race packs will be prepared with the support of ADIEM Torrevieja, an organisation that promotes the social and professional inclusion of individuals with mental health conditions. Their participation adds further depth to the event’s inclusive and charitable nature, highlighting the power of community and cooperation for a common cause.
Click here to get your race number
A family-friendly sporting event
Beyond the athletic competition, the day promises to be a true celebration of solidarity, with a full schedule of complementary activities:
- Zumba session with Javi Jodani, a well-known local instructor, bringing energy and movement to the morning.
- Live music by Instinto Primate, performing from the heart of the park to create a festive atmosphere.
- Children’s workshops and activities throughout the morning, providing a safe and engaging environment for the youngest attendees.
- Café area with seating, offering refreshments and a space to relax.
- “Dorsal 0” (virtual race bib) available via the registration page for those unable to attend in person but who wish to support the cause.
Race and event Schedule
- 09:00 – Collection of adult race numbers: Participants should collect their bibs at the designated area. Early arrival is advised to avoid queues.
- 10:00 – Start of the 5K race: The main event begins, with a 5-kilometre route monitored by the Torrevieja Athletics Club to ensure runners’ safety.
- 11:00 – Nordic walking event begins: A walking alternative open to all, promoting inclusive participation.
- 11:00 to 12:00 – Live performance by Instinto Primate: Enjoy music in the park during the festivities.
- 11:15 – Prize-giving ceremony for the 5K race winners.
- 11:30 – Collection of children’s race numbers: Children participating in the races should collect their bibs from the designated area.
- 12:00 – Children’s races begin (within the park):
- SUB4 (Mixed, up to age 3) – 50m
- SUB6 (Mixed, ages 4–5) – 50m
- SUB8 (Boys & Girls, ages 6–7) – 100m
- SUB10 (Boys & Girls, ages 8–9) – 600m
- SUB12 (Boys & Girls, ages 10–11) – 600m
- SUB14 (Boys & Girls, ages 12–13) – 1,200m
Races are adapted by age to encourage children’s participation, held in a secure, supervised area of the park.
- 12:30 – Prize-giving ceremony for children’s races.
- 10:30 to 12:30 – Children’s activities: Fun and educational workshops and games for young attendees.
- 12:30 to 13:00 – Final Zumba session: A fun and energetic way to end the day, open to all participants.
A day to remember as part of Quirónsalud Torrevieja’s 25th anniversary
This charity race forms part of the activities commemorating the 25th anniversary of Quirónsalud Torrevieja Hospital – a milestone that celebrates the hospital’s strong ties with the local community and its ongoing commitment to health, solidarity, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Throughout the year, the hospital will be organising a series of initiatives including exhibitions, podcasts, commemorative mosaics, and a grand closing event in October.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Costa Blanca
Three arrested in Benidorm for stealing wallets and using the cards where one of them worked

Three individuals were apprehended by National Police officers in Benidorm (Alicante) on suspicion of being the leaders of a criminal organisation that specialises in pickpocketing. It is believed that the group stole credit cards from the establishment’s POS payment terminals, where one of the individuals worked.
The National Police said the arrest was made at the same place the cards were used, 20 minutes after the wallet was stolen.
The CIMACC Chamber of the 091 made the arrests after a foreign tourist called to report that a man, whose wallet he had stolen, fled on a high-powered vehicle driven by another person.
The nearby area was the subject of a coordinated deployment by city service patrols. The victim was receiving notifications on his mobile phone regarding charges made to his cards, so the remaining crews were deployed through the streets of the leisure and restaurant area of the old city while one of the crews interrogated her. A maximum of nine payment transactions were executed.
The deployed agents found a vehicle in front of an establishment that matched the victim’s description. The vehicle’s name corresponded to one of the most recent charges mentioned by the injured party.
Consequently, the authorities secured the premises’ exits to avert the possibility of an escape. They observed that three men were conversing inside, and two of them attempted to exit without being observed by the agents when they entered. One of the suspects was carrying a product that was purchased on the spot, as well as dollar banknotes, reais (Brazilian currency), and pounds in their pockets.
In the interim, one of the officers observed as a third individual, who was later identified as the establishment’s manager, exited the counter and proceeded to a corner. There, he threw four fragments of what appeared to be a credit card to the ground.
As a result, the authorities were able to retrieve these fragments and determine that they were one of the victim’s cards. Additionally, they found a health certificate in his pocket that did not belong to him. In the end, they found three payment terminals on the counter, adjacent to which were several purchase statements that corresponded to the charges made to the victim’s card that were also discovered. Additionally, a box contained 2,610 euros in cash, although the invoicing for that day was only 3 euros.
For these reasons, the agents apprehended these three individuals, who are alleged to have committed the offences of theft, fraud, money laundering of capital, and criminal organisation. The city’s investigating court has placed the suspects under detention following the police proceedings.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Costa Blanca
Brit dies in Benidorm after collapsing during his stag do

During his stag party in Benidorm with his father and friends, a 29-year-old British man died after abruptly collapsing at a bar. The young man fell to the ground resulted in a severe gash on his skull. The bar proprietor and another customer initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to maintain the man’s stability from the outset. The owner stated that they were able to sustain the young man’s vital signs for the first minute; however, he ceased to respond thereafter.
Nevertheless, they continued the manoeuvre for approximately 15 minutes until the ambulance arrived. Despite the emergency team’s efforts, they were unable to revive the young man. The victim’s father disclosed that his son experienced a cardiac arrest in England five years ago, at the age of 24. The Halifax-based individual, who is the father of a son, was in Benidorm for his bachelor party in anticipation of his upcoming wedding in May.
According to National Police sources, the cause of death is still unknown; however, they have confirmed that the individual died immediately due to a medical issue.
Discover more from Costa Blanca Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
Before Easter, the new road through La Hoya should open
-
News2 weeks ago
Two firefighters dead and 15 injured in a garage fire in Alcorcón
-
Costa Blanca1 week ago
This week the DGT will issue over 64,000 speeding tickets
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
Man arrested after ex-‘s adopted daughter dies
-
Costa Blanca1 week ago
Six arrested for the use of AI to defraud over 19 million euros
-
Costa Blanca1 week ago
This weekend Alicante will be visited by three NATO ships
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
What is the reason for the disappearance of Chinese bazaars in Spain?
-
Costa Blanca2 weeks ago
Two men investigated for “sextortion” of 13 men