Thursday
25th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
A vessel which was caught fishing illegally within Maldivian waters. Photo: Fisheries ministry
The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has released two foreign vessels which were detained for illegal fishing within the Maldivian waters.
The ministry granted them permission to leave Maldives waters after they had paid the fine for illegal fishing and trespassing. The two vessels were detained on 13th August by Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard.
The ministry stated that the vessels were owned by a Sri Lankan and had paid a fine of MVR 70,000.
One of the two vessels which was detained with over 3 tonnes of fish was fined MVR 50,000 for illegal fishing and MVR 100,000 for trespassing.
The second vessel carried no fish and was only fined for trespassing. They paid MVR 100,000.
The ministry reported that the owners of the boats as well as the masters of the boats were given an opportunity to respond to the charges during the hearings held over video conference.