The Nigerian Navy has arrested a fishing trailer, MFT Baba 11 for fishing at the Eastern Naval Command Waters without valid Naval approval for fishing and shipping of fish.
The arrest was made by the NNS Centenary upon patrol at the high sea to check illegalities on the waters which is the mandate of the Navy.
Briefing newsmen at the NNS Victory headquarters in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the Victory Commander, Commodore Marcus Bobai, disclosed that fishing in some waters without valid permit is an offence and punishable by law.
He added that the fishermen are aware of this law.
According to the commodore, the fishermen on board the vessel Baba 11 were not only caught fishing without renewed authorized particulars to fish, but were also transferring the catches to a wooden boat which is strongly against fishing regulations.
He maintained that the Navy would do all within its reach to sanitize the waters and make it a safe haven for users.
The fishermen and the vessel have been formally handed over to the Federal Department of Fisheries for further investigation and prosecution.
The Zonal Director of the Ministry commended the Navy for the arrest, as the culprits have been taken to Lagos following orders for onward investigation and prosecution.