Illegal fishing: Navy arrests 14 suspects, impounds vessel

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State has arrested 14 suspects and impounded the vessel used for illegal fishing in the state.

Commanding Officer FOB, Capt. Uche Aneke, stated this in Ibaka on Wednesday while handing over the four Ghanaians and 10 Nigerians arrested and the vessel to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, Cross River State.

Aneke said the suspects were arrested within five nautical miles in Calabar Channel on November 27 for engaging in illegal trawling activities.

The commanding officer explained that the vessel, MFT LAMU 1, was seized on Monday by 3:45 p.m. within the Calabar channel, actively engaging in illegal trawling prohibited by the fishery laws.

He mentioned that the suspects were duly informed not to disembark from the vessel while armed sentries were assigned onboard for security.

“Sequel to the interception and arrest of the fishing trawler MFT LAMU 1, with registration number LA799, on Monday, Nov. 27th, for illegal trawling.

“This incident came to light after a report from the Eastern Regional Control Center (ERCC), Calabar on Monday, Nov. 27th, indicating that MFT LAMU 1 had been involved in illegal fishing activities within 5 nautical miles offshore the Calabar channel, within FOB Ibaka’s Area of Operation,” he stated.

Aneke assured that the FOB, under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), remains committed to upholding Nigeria’s maritime laws and ensuring the sustainability of the coastal waters for national development, in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s strategic directives.

While receiving the suspects, Mrs Stella Auforo, Fisheries officer, Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar, said the department would further investigate the suspects and take appropriate actions, and thanked the Nigerian Navy for securing the maritime waters.

“The Federal Department of Fisheries will take further action in line with provisions of the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) on Arrest Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment, 2016,” she said.