A Dominican Republic-registered fishing vessel has been confiscated and its captain fined EC$20,000 after it was caught fishing illegally in Anguilla’s waters.
It was intercepted during a routine patrol on 15 October by the joint Royal Anguilla Police Force, HM Customs and Immigration Department patrol boat.
The vessel was taken to Road Bay, where officers searched it and discovered 1,728 kilograms of fish.
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The eight people on board were detained and charged with illegal fishing, the Royal Anguilla Police Force said in a press release.
The charges against the crew were later withdrawn, with proceedings pursued only against the captain who appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 October.
He was fined EC$20,000 and the court also ordered the confiscation of the vessel.
The Fisheries Unit is working with the Department of Health Services to arrange for the disposal of the impounded catch.
The press release said: “The Royal Anguilla Police Force remains committed to protecting Anguilla’s territorial waters and safeguarding the island’s marine resources.”
Just last month, a St Martin-registered vessel containing about 356 pounds of fish was intercepted in Anguilla waters after its captain failed to complete required entry procedures.
The 26-foot fishing boat was seen travelling south from close to Dog Island to the vicinity of Anguillita on 24 September.
