Six arrested for illegal fishing after sea chase

TDT | Manama

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Six men have been charged after a chase at sea, during which authorities caught them using banned bottom trawl nets to haul in 40 kilograms of fresh shrimp.

The Public Prosecution has now referred the four Indian fishermen and two Bahraini accomplices to the Minor Criminal Court, following an investigation into their illegal fishing activities.

The case came to light when the Coast Guard spotted a boat carrying the Indian suspects, who were fishing with bottom trawl nets, locally known as Kofa, a method prohibited by law.

The men attempted to flee when they saw the patrol, but officers pursued and apprehended them.

Forty kilograms of freshly caught shrimp were found aboard the vessel, which lacked proper safety equipment, including life jackets, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.

Investigations revealed the involvement of two Bahraini nationals who had aided in the illegal operation.

They have also been arrested and are being held in custody. The authorities have seized the boat involved as evidence.

The Chief of the Ministries and Public Bodies Prosecution expressed concern over the damage such illegal fishing methods can cause to Bahrain’s marine life.

“Bottom trawl nets are extremely harmful to the marine environment. They are designed to catch large amounts of fish, often trapping species that are not targeted, leading to a decline in marine biodiversity,” he said.

The nets are also known to destroy vital marine habitats, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, which has a detrimental effect on the wider ecosystem.

Moreover, juvenile fish often become caught in these nets, jeopardising the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

In addition to the illegal fishing, the defendants have been charged with failing to display proper navigational lights, sailing without a valid licence, as well as obstructing law enforcement during the inspection.