The Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU apprehended two fishing trawlers, TAURARO and STARSHRIMPER 29, on suspicion of engaging in illegal fishing in the Badary area of Lagos.
More than 100 bags of fish were discovered in the insulated fish holds compartment of the fishing trawlers, as revealed by Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, in a statement signed by the Command Information Officer, Commander Patricia Ochei, yesterday.
The fishing trawlers were intercepted during a patrol of the waterways along the Badary axis in the early hours of Tuesday, according to the FOC.
This arrest is a result of Exercise EJA EXPRESSION, initiated recently to combat maritime illegalities within the Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility. The exercise also aims to enhance personnel skills in combating economic crimes such as illegal fishing in the nation’s waters.
Detailing the interception of the fishing trawler, the statement conveyed that at approximately 4 am on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, during a patrol along the Badagary axis of Lagos, the Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU intercepted and interrogated the two fishing trawlers under suspicion.
“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.”
“The exercise was to practice personnel procedure and processes of enforcing fisheries laws in Nigeria’s maritime environment, to ensure the fleet can perform the responsibility of deterring IIllegal, Unregulated and Unreported, IUU fishing and other illegalities.”
“This is in line with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanual Ogalla ‘s Strategic Directive towards promoting effective Ocean and maritime governance for a thriving Blue Economy.”
“Essentially, IUU fishing is a global problem that threatens ocean ecosystems and sustainable fishing. It also threatens our economic security and natural resources that are critical to global food security, while also putting legitimate businesses at risk”.
Keeping the blue economy in consideration, Rear Admiral Hassan emphasized that the Command, along with the Nigerian Navy, maintains zero tolerance for any form of maritime illegality. He issued a stern warning to perpetrators to cease such actions, stating that the Nigerian Navy would actively pursue and prosecute those involved.