Africa-Press – Angola. Three national and foreign citizens, aged between 25 and 35, were detained by the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), on Mundial beach, municipality of Cacuaco, for illegal bottom trawling.
These are two Vietnamese and an Angolan who were surprised, last Wednesday, when they were fishing for fish hatchlings, of prohibited species, on board an unidentified vessel.
The operation led to the seizure of more than 300 kg of various fish, ready to be sold, as well as all fishing equipment, including bottom trawl nets, trawl doors, cables, as well as two outboard engines.
According to the inspector of the Luanda Regional Fisheries Aquaculture Center, Miguel Solana, artisanal fishing is prohibited for foreigners, being exclusive to nationals.
He highlighted that bottom trawling is a major concern, as it destroys aquatic biological resources, since the activity is carried out on the coast, the breeding area for marine species.
The person responsible reported that, in the last quarter of 2023, 37 criminal cases were instituted, of which 25 involved bottom trawling.
“Bottom trawling is only permitted on industrial and semi-industrial vessels with the permitted net mileage of 80 millimeters”, he clarified.
According to the inspector, the administrations that license vessels must take this dossier into account.
“Bottom trawling is not permitted and harms the country’s economic development”, he reaffirmed.
For his part, SIC spokesperson, Manuel Halaiwa, highlighted that the detainees will be presented to the Public Ministry for the necessary formalities.
For them, it is essential to conserve the sea and ensure that regulations are observed, otherwise they will be involved in criminal activity.
Regarding their immigration status, he stated that the defendants are without documents.
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