The Coast Guard has made a major bust of illegal gillnets and fisheries products. Â
They conducted operations in the area of Manatee Bar Mouth today and discovered three fishermen operating with expired fisher folk license.Â
They had in their possession an assortment of nets; 3 of the nets exceeded a 1000 feet.
Of the three fishermen, one is a Belizean and the other two are originally from Guatemala with naturalization documents.
Several of the gill nets in their possession exceeded the legal limit. Also discovered were 9 drums of marine product to include shark meat and other marine products. Several large coolers were also found with marine products.
An estimated value of over $40,000 of marine product were in their possession. The Coast Guard is currently working with the Fisheries Department, the Belize Port Authority and other stakeholders in processing this case.