NASSAU, Bahamas – December 5, 2017 – It is unclear if The Bahamas will also confiscate two boats caught up in an illegal fishing operation, thwarted by the Defense Force just before Thanksgiving.
Two men from the group caught illegally fishing near Bimini say they are guilty and were fined. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force reports that two Dominican men, Rialerky Lantigua and Yordi Andujar were charged before the courts with possession of prohibited apparatuses for fishing purposes, with dive compressors. The men plead guilty and were each fined two thousand dollars ($2000.00). Their bail was set and the matter was adjourned until February.
It was on November 23rd, that 45 fishermen aboard two Bahamian registered fishing vessels were caught three miles east of Bimini. The vessels, “SRJ” and “Black Bahamian”, were captained by Stephon Green and Vernal Johnson respectively. The crew, consisting of 16 Bahamians, 23 Dominicans and six Haitians, was taken into custody after being found in possession of illegal fishing apparatus, namely diving compressors.
Also found on board the vessels were a large quantity of fisheries product. The vessels and crew were brought into the Capital and turned over to the relevant authorities.
Magistrate Joanne Ferguson Pratt said she would also make a ruling whether the vessels would be released, as there were no charges against them and the captain.
