RBDF apprehends eight fishermen in protected area

RBDF apprehends eight fishermen in protected area

Men will be charged before the courts today

 

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Eight persons were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF)  around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 1, after they were found fishing in a Marine Preserve in the northern Bahamas.

The RBDF reported that upon receiving reports of illegal fishing activity taking 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 three persons onboard with approximately 50 conchs and other fishery products in their possession,” the RBDF reported.

Also discovered in the same area was a 46-foot fishing vessel named “Lady Yvonna” with five persons and approximately 500 conchs onboard.

As a result, the RBDF said the eight fishermen were cautioned, taken into custody and were subsequently brought to the Defence Force Base where they were handed over to the Marine Resources Unit with their catch and vessels for further processing.

The RBDF said the eight men comprise of five Bahamians, two Haitians and one Cuban. They are expected to be charged before the courts today.

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.