The Nigerian Navy on Saturday handed over a fishing trawler MFV Lady Jessica ll and its 13 crew members to the Federal Department of Fisheries in Bayelsa State.
The trawler was arrested on Dec. 11 by the Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso while trawling within an area reserved for artisanal fishing boats.
It was reportedly arrested at a position that was less than five nautical miles from the shore around the entrance to Pennington River.
The handing over was held at a brief ceremony at the Forward Operating Base, Egwema, Brass and performed by the Commanding Officer, Capt. Murtala Rogo, represented by the Executive Officer, FOB, Commander Dantani Bukar.
”Let me also add that the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its effort to police and enforce maritime laws. To this end, I wish to advise all mariners to be law-abiding as they engage the Nigerian maritime domain for their individual businesses.
”Pertinently, fishing companies and agents must pay particular attention to the instructions in Form B issued to them by the Federal Department of Fisheries. Same must be communicated and understood by the vessel crew to avoid any form of infringement of the state laws therein,” he said.
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