Officers of the Environment Deartment of the Junta de Andalucia caught an individual red-handed as he collected specimens of the Ferruginous Limpet, Patella ferruginea, from the rocks at the beach in Maro. This species is listed as ‘endangered’.
The individual was caught near the Pino tower. Offences relating to the capture of species listed as in danger of extinction are classified as ‘very serious’ under the Andalucian Flora and Fauna Law and carry a fine of between €60,101.22 and €300,506.05.
Andalucia has a population of around 1,800 Ferruginous Limpet, 200 of these being in Málaga province.
Technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment relocated the limpets to a protected creek where they can hopefully recuperate.