Nearly €6 billion in subsidies fuel Spain’s ravenous fleet

Out-of-control subsidies have helped Spain build up a fleet that breaks the law at home and abroad

Excerpts from this story referencing "Vidal Armadores":

"… Government officials and international regulators have repeatedly targeted Vidal Armadores for its alleged involvement in a decade-old international network of pirat …"

"… multiple times that Spain recover subsidies and “take action against” Vidal Armadores. At least through 2010, however, Spain and the EU continued to pay the fir …"

"… hing and said the company was entitled to the subsidies it received. Like Vidal Armadores has in the past, seafood giant Pescanova targets Patagonian toothfish — …"

"… gets Patagonian toothfish — sold in the U.S. as Chilean sea bass. Unlike Vidal Armadores, Pescanova is a member of an association that fights illegal fishing. In S …"

Spain doles out millions in aid despite fishing company's record

By Kate Willson and Mar Cabra

Company received $12 million in public aid even as it faced more than 40 allegations of illegal fishing

Excerpts from this story referencing "Vidal Armadores":

"… eged illegal fishing — is changing tack. Antonio Vidal Pego, co-owner of Vidal Armadores, says the company is folding, and he’s devoting himself to renewable ene …"

"… othing.”Vidal Pego — known as “Toño” — says his family business Vidal Armadores, “ship-owners” in Spanish, has been forced to halt operations.  H …"

"… neuvers to circumvent international laws.The ICIJ investigation found that Vidal Armadores or its affiliates have been repeatedly pursued by government agencies and …"

"… ince 1999, international fisheries regulators have linked vessels owned by Vidal Armadores or its affiliates to more than 40 instances of alleged illegal fishing — …"

Top fisheries official says EU is investigating illegalities by Spanish companies

By Kate Willson

Top EU fishing official responds to allegations of misappropriated funds by ICIJ

Excerpts from this story referencing "Vidal Armadores":

"… of the stories focused on a family-controlled firm in northwestern Spain, Vidal Armadores, which received at least €8.2 million in subsidies while it faced more t …"

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‘Pirate’ fleet owner convicted of fish fraud

By Kate Willson and Mar Cabra

Spanish ship-owner nets nearly two years for Chilean sea bass fraud

Excerpts from this story referencing "Vidal Armadores":

"… ince 1999, international fisheries regulators have linked vessels owned by Vidal Armadores – a company owned by Vidal Pego and his father – or its affiliates to …"

"… company or its affiliates five times for a total of more than $5 million. Vidal Armadores or its affiliates have landed in court seven times in criminal or administ …"

"… al court in a 2006 case involving an illegal importation of toothfish by a Vidal Armadores affiliate.But Vidal Pego still has never been found guilty in a criminal c …"

"… riminal court of fishing illegally. That includes the current case.Despite Vidal Armadores' record, Spain and the EU have granted at least €8.2 million ($12 millio …"