In the boats were found by troops 15 specimens of shark, protected animal whose fishing is prohibited in Colombian territory.
In 2022, six foreign ships were detected and intercepted while fishing without authorization in Colombian Pacific waters.
In a maritime control and surveillance operation carried out by the Colombian Navy in the south Pacific ocean of the department of Nariño, more than 1,600 kilograms of fishing were found by troops aboard three foreign flagged ships, whose crew carried out work in Colombian territorial waters without having the corresponding permits, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of the municipality of Tumaco (Nariño).
During the inspection of the boats, 160 fishes of different types such as goldfish, tuna and flagon were found by troops, including 192 kilograms of shark, a protected animal whose fishing is prohibited in Colombian waters.
Taking into account that the crew members of the ships did not have the permits by the National Authority for Aquaculture and Fisheries – AUNAP, nor of the Colombian Maritime Directorate - DIMAR, to carry out fishing and navigability activities in Colombian territory, their captains could be committing the alleged crimes of illegal fishing and illicit use of natural resources, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 2111 of July 29, 2021.
The three captains of the ships were arrested and put into custody of the Attorney General's Office, while the fishing resources were put into custody off the AUNAP*. The other six crew members of the three boats were handed over to Migración Colombia.
The Colombian Navy, through the Pacific Naval Force, will continue to strengthen operations to protect and safeguard the fishing resources and maritime and river spaces of the Pacific coast, especially in the four National Natural Parks (Utría, Uramba, Gorgona and Sanquianga), four National Integrated Management Districts (Cabo Manglares, Bajo Mira and frontera, Yuruparí and Isla Ají) and the Flora and Fauna Sanctuary of Malpelo, with the purpose of continuing to counter crimes against activities that strike the coastal environment, as well as continue to support environmental authorities to maintain their conservation as strategic assets of the nation.
Source: press-Colombian Navy
