The Colombian Navy, in compliance with the Artemisa Naval campaign which seeks to contribute to the preservation and defense of water, biodiversity and natural resources as strategic assets of the nation, seized 1,665 kilograms of white fish, illegally extracted by three foreign flag ships in the Colombian Pacific.
The permanent development of maritime control operations led the coastal patrol boat ARC Punta Ardita and a Rapid Reaction unit of the Tumaco Coast Guard Station, to detect the three boats 110 nautical miles off the coast of Tumaco conducting fishing operations irregularly.
When inspecting the boats, 122 specimens of fish were found by troops including goldfish, sword and tambourine. In the same way, the captains of the boats did not have the permits by the National Authority of Aquaculture and Fisheries – AUNAP, as well as the Colombian Maritime Directorate - DIMAR, to carried out fishing and navigability activities in Colombian territory, incurring in 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 of the AUNAP.
Seven people who were part of the crew of the three boats were handed over to Migración Colombia.
This result complements the finding of 180 kilograms of illegal fishing found on board a foreign ship, on January 23, 2022, in which animals protected by the Colombian state, such as the silky shark, were found by troops.
Source: press-Colombian Navy
