By Milcah Tanimu

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Escravos, in the Warri Southwest council area of Delta state, has handed over a merchant fishing vessel, DR MARIUS 1, to the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF). The vessel was apprehended for allegedly engaging in illegal shrimping within the non-trawling zone of Nigeria’s waters. The intercepted vessel had one Ghanaian crew member with an expired passport and 13 Nigerian crew members.

The Navy’s action aligns with the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic End State (CNS-SD 2023 – 6) and the command philosophy aimed at ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. The interception occurred at the Pennington Oil Terminal position, based on data from the Central Regional Control Centre Surveillance Report.

According to the Base Commander, Captain O. A. Aliu, the Fishing Vessel DR MARIUS 1, owned by Karflex Fisheries Limited, was found contravening local Nigerian Maritime and Fishery Laws. Specifically, the vessel was engaged in shrimping within a 5nm non-trawling zone without a Turtle Excluder Device, a violation of regulations outlined in Nigeria’s Fishing Act.