The Gambia navy have arrested six  trawlers for fishing in a prohibited zone. Four of the vessels are Chinese, one Senegalese and one Gambian owned. 

“Six fishing vessels were arrested during the period under review. One Gambian owned one Senegalese, and four Chinese vessels. They are all currently berthed at the fisheries jetty, under armed guards. 

“The Gambia Navy will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies in a bid to protect the country’s territorial waters as mandated by the constitution,” the navy said in a press statement. 

“In a similar activity on November 4th 2020, the Gambia Navy in collaboration with the Fisheries Department and Sea Shepherd conducted Joint Coastal Surveillance and Fisheries protection during which four arrests were executed for fishing in prohibited zone. 

“The vessels were three Chinese fishing vessels, marked: F/V GORDE 105, F/V GORDE 106, and F/V GORDE 107. On 07 November 2020, the boarding team on board the Sea Shepherd arrested F/V FINSI WANG for being in possession of wrong fishing gear.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba