The suspects with the exhibits
A TOTAL of 18 fishermen, including a Chinese, have been arrested in a dawn swoop for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing.
The operation was conducted by the Eastern Naval Command in Tema at high seas on Saturday around Prampram, Teshie, Nungua and Tema.
Nine generators were impounded in the exercise which was in collaboration with the Fisheries Enforcement Unit led by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Naa Afoley Quaye.
Light fishing in which ship/canoe owners use powerful lights to attract fishes in the sea at night and catch them is an illegal act. In spite of that, some persons still engage in the illegal act, thereby compelling the authorities to intensify their patrols.
The minister said the operation which started midnight saw four canoes and two trawlers with 18 persons on board engaging in illegal fishing.
“We think that after a successful closed season we will not be seeing things like this. I mean illegal fishing and other practices which are not good for fishing. These people were arrested at high seas for light fishing contrary to the laws,” she lamented.
She commended fishermen who abide by the law and cautioned those who engaged in illegal fishing to desist from the practice.
She said the culprits would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution, while the exercise goes on unabated.
It emerged that the Chinese who was picked up was in possession of an expired immigration document and the minister said he would be handed over to Ghana Immigration Service for the necessary action to be taken against him.
From Vincent Kubi, Tema