In 2022, the Pacific Naval Force has found more than 5 tons of illegal fishing.
In compliance with the Artemisa Naval Campaign that seeks to contribute to the preservation and defense of water, biodiversity and natural resources as strategic assets of the Nation, the Colombian Navy announced the finding of 806 kilograms of white fish and protected animals, illegally extracted by two foreign flag boats, in the waters of the Pacific region in the department of Nariño.
The permanent development of maritime control operations, led the sea patrol boat ARC Castillo y Rada and a Rapid Reaction unit of the Coast Guard Station of Tumaco, to detect the first boat named La Virgen del Carmen, crewed by a foreigner and two Colombians 126 nautical miles of the coast of Tumaco, conducting fishing illegally.
Minutes later, 86 nautical miles offshore, the second ship named Marianela was detected, manned by three foreigners, extracting white fish irregularly in national territory.
During the review of the boats, the personnel of the Colombian Navy found 50 specimens of fish including Marlin and Banderon, as well as three Tollo sharks, an animal protected by the Colombian State. During the inspection it was found that the captains of the ships did not have the permits of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority – AUNAP, nor of the Colombian General Maritime Directorate - DIMAR, to carry out fishing and navigability activities in Colombian territory.
It should be noted that the greatest threat on the Tollo shark is unregulated fishing in which various methods are used indiscriminately, including longlines (line with hooks that rests on the seabed) and trawl net. Therefore, it is important that fishermen and the entire community, comply, respect and promote the regulations of care, protection and preservation of water resources, fauna and flora, coasts and seas, in order to be responsible for the conservation of the environment and life at sea.
The two captains of the boats were put into custody of the CTI (Technical Investigations Corps) of the Attorney General's Office, while the foreign personnel were handed over to Migración Colombia.
On the other hand, the fish were handed over to AUNAP, while the protected animals were put into custody of CORPONARIÑO.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
