The seizure occurred during "an enforcement action directed at fishing activity that resulted in the seizure of two gillnets, each about 100 metres long," the press release added.

According to the Maritime Police, the two nets "were set less than a quarter of a mile from the coast, without proper signposting and identification".

The local command of the Aveiro Maritime Police "will take the respective steps to identify the owner of the fishing gear", reads the statement.