From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Forward Operating Base (FOB), FORMOSO of the Nigerian Navy on Friday in Brass, Brass Local Government Area, handed over 11 crew member and a fishing trawler to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The fishing trawler christened ‘MV TRADE WIND’ was arrested on August 6, 2022 while dragging her net about 1.5NM offshore Brass water with her 11 crew members consisting of 10 Nigerians and a Ghanaian.
Capt. M.A. Alhassan, Commanding Officer of Forward Operating Base, who performed the handover ceremony, disclosed that the Automatic Identification System (AIS) was switched off which constituted a violation of no trawling zone of 5NM from shore line
Alhassan urged all mariners to be law abiding as they carry out their day to day activities within the Nigerian maritime environment.
“All mariners and their agents must be aware that the Nigerian Navy has the capacity to track any vessels within the Nigerian waters up to Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through the FALCON EYE and RMAC system.
“So, all mariners are warned to keep their Automatic Identification System/communication system operational as switching it off will constitute a violation of the Nigerian maritime laws.
“The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has directed all Nigerian Navy operational units to ensure strict monitoring of all vessels and the compliance with all maritime laws.
“The Nigerian Navy will not spare any offender or offenders that violates any of these laws within Nigeria’s maritime domain
“Today I hereby hand over MV TRADE WIND to the representatives of the federal department of fisheries for further investigation and possibly prosecution,” he said.
On his part, Mr Are Taiwo, Principal Fishery Officer Lagos Office, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit
of the Federal Department of Fisheries, assured that further investigation would be conducted noting that if it is found out that they have gone against the rules they will be prosecuted or sanction will be followed.
Taiwo commended the Nigerian Navy, for her efforts towards safeguarding the Nigerian maritime domain.