The Tribune

FIVE Dominican poachers who allegedly attempted to “ram” a Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessel to evade capture were arrested in Bahamian waters.

A press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs thanked the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their assistance in the interdiction and arrest of the poachers who were onboard the Dominican vessel “Amanda”.

The vessel was apprehended at approximately 11pm on Saturday, September 25, by the Bahamian patrol vessel HMBS Bahamas in waters near Diamond Point, Southern Great Bahama Bank.

The ministry said the fishermen were caught with 5,420 lbs of hogfish, 2,213 lbs of Nassau grouper, 11,267 lbs of whole lobster, 276 lbs of lobster tails and 1,685 lbs of assorted fish. Additionally, the poachers were also allegedly operating in Bahamian waters illegally while using a compressor and spearguns, officials said.

They are expected to be charged today with six violations of the Fisheries Act.

The ministry said suspected drugs were allegedly found on board and added that the Dominican vessel attempted “to ram the HMBS Bahamas while attempting to escape”.

Charges are expected to be brought for these offences as well.

Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting expressed deep gratitude to the officers onboard HMBS Bahamas for their bravery in protecting Bahamian waters from illegal fishermen intent on causing harm.

“I appreciate the hard work and bravery of these men and women in uniform as they guard our heritage and I particularly applaud the deep cooperation between the RBDF and Bahamian fishermen who very often are the ones to spot these illegal boats in our waters,” he said.

“I wish to encourage our fishermen to maintain the open dialogue between our law enforcement agencies as well as the Department of Marine Resources as we work hand-in-hand to guard our heritage,” he continued.