Two ships are captured by the Navy for illicit fishing.

Two fishing trawlers, TAURARO and STARSHRIMPER 29, were taken into custody by the Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU in the Badary area of Lagos on suspicion of engaging in illicit fishing.

In the insulated fish-holding area of the fishing trawlers, more than 100 sacks of fish were recovered.

The statement was made yesterday by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan.

According to a statement released by the FOC and signed by Commander Patricia Ochei, the Command Information Officer, the fishing trawlers were intercepted early on Tuesday while on a patrol of the waters in the Badary axis.

He said that the arrest was the outcome of Exercise EJA EXPRESSION, which he had recently announced in order to combat maritime violations in the Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility and to train personnel in the fight against economic crimes like illicit fishing in the territorial seas of the country.

The Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU captured and questioned the two suspected fishing trawlers while on patrol around the Badagary axis of Lagos on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, according to the statement that described how the trawler was intercepted.

“After the boats were boarded, it was discovered that there was a lot of fish on board even though their license was just for shrimp.

“The fact that Nigerian Navy ships are continuing to deter potential offenders and arrest suspected maritime offenders at sea suggests that the flag off of Exercise EJA EXPRESSION may be producing positive results.”