Tiko: 5 tonnes of fish auctioned

A fishing vessel named Yang I, fishing in restricted Cameroon territorial water areas, was apprehended by a joint patrol team by the Maritime Naval Base in Limbe (Cameroon Navy) and the personnel of the Ministry of Livestock Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA) on June 24, 2016.

The fish caught in the vessel was sold to the public for consumption at an auction sale conducted at the Tiko Warf last 27 June, in the presence of the Divisional Officer for Tiko, Patrick Che Ngwashi, and the South West Regional Delegate for MINEPIA, Dr. Andu Walters Ndi.

The DO told the press that “the vessel was caught violating the fishing norms as they were not only fishing in restricted areas but also using a compacted net that would catch even the eggs and the smallest protected sizes of fish thereby preventing regeneration and sustainability.

Fishing norms require that sustainability of fish in water be ensured, but their material carried everything in the water even the eggs such that if we leave the company to continue this process, in the next six months we will not have fish in the market, the Patrick Che Ngwashi explained.

“For this reason the fish caught in this process will be sold to the public and the amount paid to the State treasury” he went on.

He added that the illegal fishing nets used was officially destroyed and burnt. Mr. Che Ngwashi stressed that the company will pay a fine of FCFA 7 million to the public treasury according to the regulations in force adding that this would serve as deterrent to other companies of similar bad faith.