Navy Nabs Two Vessels For Illegal Fishing

The Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU apprehended two fishing trawlers, TAURARO and STARSHRIMPER 29, in the Badary region of Lagos for alleged unlawful fishing.

Over 100 bags of fish were retrieved in the fishing trawlers’ insulated fish-holding section.

Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, made the announcement yesterday.

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The fishing trawlers were intercepted in the early hours of Tuesday during a patrol of the waterways in the Badary axis, according to the FOC in a statement signed by the Command Information Officer, Commander Patricia Ochei.

He described the arrest as the result of Exercise EJA EXPRESSION, which he recently flagged off to address maritime illegalities within the Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility while also honing personnel abilities in combating economic crimes such as illegal fishing in the nation’s waters.

The statement explained how the fishing trawler was intercepted, saying it happened “around 4 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 while on patrol along the Badagary axis of Lagos, Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU intercepted and interrogated the two suspicious fishing trawlers.

“The vessels were subsequently boarded and confirmed to have large quantities of fish onboard despite their license to shrimp only.

“The flag off of Exercise EJA EXPRESSION may well be yielding positive results as the presence of Nigerian Navy ships at sea has continued to deter intending perpetrators and arrest suspected maritime offenders.”