We're all preparing for the national curfew and the state of emergency. But while we do that, the Fisheries Department is still watching the seas for any illegal fishing activity. They're reporting tonight that they busted 4 Belizean fishers with 2 large crocus sacks of out-of-season lobster.
It happened on Sunday when a team of fisheries officers was heading to Belize City from their base in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. They came upon a fishing vessel with 3 men and a woman. They have been identified to us as 31-year-old Derek Gorosica, the boat captain, 27-year-old Paola Colman, 20-year-old Kaliharb Blanco, and 19-year-old Leon Joseph. The fisheries authorities say that they Dangriga fishermen.
The officers decided to stop and search their vessel, and as soon as these 4 spotted them, they tried to speed off and elude the fisheries team. The officers caught up to them after they had dumped 2 sacks overboard, and when the officers opened the sacks, they found 132 whole lobsters. Since the season is closed, these 4 were arrested and charged with the offense of being in possession of out-of-season lobster.
This evening, Hampton Gamboa from the Fisheries Department told us about the case:
Hampton Gamboa - Conservation Compliance Unit Supervisor
"On Sunday, at about midday, officers were on routine patrol from our marine reserve base in Twin Cayes, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, heading to Belize City along the reef, when they came across a fishing vessel. And apparently, there were individuals in the water. An officer observed that, decided to stop and search the vessel. The vessel's [captain] decided to take off, threw what appeared to be a crocus sack over the side of the vessel. They took driving. Officers retrieved the bag and continued chasing the vessel. The vessel threw out another bag. So, there were 2 crocus sacks that officers had to retrieve. Fortunately, we were able to catch up with them because of the vessel we were in. Upon coming them, there were 4 individuals, 3 males, and 1 female, all who were in the water. All 4 individuals have been taken to court today to answer to charges of possession of lobster during the closed season. That reminds me, the lobster season closed from the 15th of February, until the 14th of June. So, they charged today for possession of lobster totaling - they were all live lobsters totaling 132 lobsters. We made a request to the court, in addition to the fines for the offense of possession of lobsters during the closed season - we made a request to the court for the seizure of the vessel, which the court granted. So, it's a 25-foot fiberglass vessel with a brand new 75 horse-power Yamaha engine on it."
Reporter
"Can you tell us about who these persons are? Are they Belizeans?"
Hampton Gamboa
"Yes, they are all Belizeans residing in Dangriga, born and raised in Dangriga. So, they are nationals, not by permanent residence, or anything of that nature. So, they're all Belizeans. And unfortunately for them, one of the - the captain of the vessel is a repeat offender, and hence the reason why we decided to request through the court, also, for the confiscation of the vessel, to send a message."
As you heard, Derek Gorosica was the captain of the vessel, and because he was a repeat offender, the Fisheries Department requested that the court seize his vessel. That was granted, and it is now in the possession of the Fisheries Department.
Kaliharb Blanco pleaded guilty for the offense. The Fisheries Department estimates this the street value of this bust at approximately $2,900 dollars.
Email
Print