In 2022, the Colombian Navy has found more than 8.3 tons of illegal fishing in the Colombian Pacific.
Last week, 1,103 kilos of shark have been found in boats that were carrying out illegal fishing of protected hydrobiological resources.
Coast Guard units of the Colombian Navy immobilized a fishing boat, Ecuadorian flag and name Mis Tres Amores, which was carrying out fishing work approximately 91 nautical miles of the Island of Gorgona, without having the necessary permits to carry out such activity.
During the inspection, a large amount of whitefish and 23 sharks were found by troops in the boat, which is a protected specimen whose fishing is prohibited for both commercial and artisanal purposes.
The crew of the boat did not present the corresponding documents, so the boat was immobilized and towed to the dock of the Buenaventura Coast Guard Station, in the same way, the crew, three Colombian citizens, were put into custody of the Attorney General's Office.
In coordination with the environmental authorities, a detailed review of the fishing resource was carried out and it was determined that it was 1047 kilos of white fish, including specimens such as goldfish, tuna, sailfish and marlin, and 199 kilos of shark, which were put into custody of the authority.
It should be noted that fishing that is carried out without the corresponding permits granted by the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority – AUNAP and the General Maritime Directorate - DIMAR, in the case of foreign ships, represents a great risk for the conservation of specimens and the sea environment, because it is carried out without any type of control or compliance with the rules established; therefore, it is important that fishermen and in general the entire community, comply with and promote the regulations of care, protection and preservation of water resources and the sea ecosystem, with the aim of being responsible for the conservation of the environment and life at sea.
The Colombian Navy, through the Pacific Naval Force, will continue to strengthen the protection and safeguarding operations of fishing resources and maritime and river spaces of the Pacific coast, especially in areas covered with special protection and preservation, with the purpose of continuing to counter crimes and activities that threaten the sea and coastal environment, as well as continue to support the environmental authorities to maintain conservation of specimens as strategic assets of the nation.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
