The Nigerian Navy on Monday said it arrested two fishing trawlers, Banaly V and Olokun V for engaging in excessive catch of fishes, which contravenes the provisions of the Nigerian Fisheries Act.
In a statement, the Director of Information of the Navy, Commodore Suleman Dahun, said the vessels were arrested around Antan Field which is 21 nautical miles of the Nigerian coastline.
He said the vessels were detected by its Falcon Eye surveillance system, and the naval ship, Unity, was deployed to intercept the vessels, which were then detained at Bonny Anchorage, Rivers State.
“We arrested the two fishing trawlers for violating the range specified within Nigerian waters for inshore fishing and shrimping activities.
“The vessels were filled with an excess catch of fishes in contravention of the Nigerian Fisheries Act as the vessels are licensed for shrimping only. This eventually led to the arrest of the two and they are currently at Bonny Anchorage for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“Meanwhile, following the arrest of Banaly V and Olokun V, the commanders of the Nigerian Navy ships have been directed to pay attention to the activities of fishing trawlers within Nigerian waters in order
to reduce illegal fishing activities,” Dahun said.
to reduce illegal fishing activities,” Dahun said.
