Coral Harbour Base, March 2, 2019 – Bahamas – Eight persons were apprehended around 10:30 a.m. this morninh by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) after they were found fishing in a Marine Preserve in the northern Bahamas.
Upon
receiving reports of illegal fishing activity taken place within a Marine
Preserve in the Berry Islands, RBDF Patrol Craft P-126 coxswained by Petty
Officer Ronnie Neymour was dispatched to investigate.
After
arriving in the area of Whale Cay in the Berry Islands, the Marines discovered
a 19-foot skiff with 3 persons onboard with approximately 50 conchs and other
fishery products in their possession.
Also
discovered in the same area was a 46-foot fishing vessel named “Lady Yvonna” with 5 persons and
approximately 500 conchs onboard.
As a
result, the eight fishermen were cautioned and taken into custody and were
subsequently brought to the Defence Force Base where they were handed over to
Marine Resources Unit with their catch and vessels for further processing.
The
nationalities of three of the men are unknown at this time; the remainder are
Bahamians.
In June
of last year a 63-foot American registered pleasure craft with six Americans
onboard was apprehended by the Park Warden and Marines at the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park for
illegally fishing in the Park. The men were charged and fined before the
courts.
The
Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues to protect the territorial integrity of
The Bahamas.
(For further
information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our
website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)
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Release: RBDF