Four fishermen were brought into the capital after they were apprehended for a fishery violation by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in the Exuma cays. While on routine patrol Saturday afternoon, Defence Force patrol craft P-45, coxswained by Chief Petty Officer Wayde Watson, boarded and searched a Bahamian registered fishing vessel named “Lady J”, approximately one nautical mile south east of Beacon Cay.
Further investigation uncovered the use of illegal fishing apparatus to obtain fishery products namely, a diving compressor, which is in contravention of the fishing regulations. The vessel and crew were escorted into the capital late Saturday night and turned over to the relevant authorities for further investigations.
This is the third apprehension within the past month, by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for fisheries violations. Four American residents were brought in for questioning on July 23, 2021, after they were apprehended four nautical miles northwest of Bimini for fisheries violations, and on June 30, 2021, eleven Bahamian fishermen were apprehended after being in possession of illegal fishing apparatus.
