According to the coast guard report, the two fishermen did not have documents of the vessel or fisher license.
/ Coast Guard Police courtesy photo.
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Coast Guard detained two suspects
in illegal lobster fishing
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Officers of the Coast Guard station in Caldera*, in the province of Puntarenas, said they detained two fishermen, surnamed Estrada and Mairena, as suspects of illegal lobster fishing in the Gulf of Nicoya*.
"The coast guard intercepted a boat named Mary Thanya I, plate P10957, which was used by apparently illegal fishing," said officials in a report.
According to the coast guard report, the two fishermen did not have documents of the vessel or fisher license. In addition, the men were using an air compressor and scuba gear to catch lobsters, which is prohibited in the fishing law.
"This is a prohibited practice, as it is highly dangerous . . . since the supply of air to the person who is diving is done in a rudimentary way. "
With the collaboration of the authorities of the Public Prosecutor's office of Puntarenas, the process began to seize lobsters and others captured animals and to confiscate the boat, as well as fishing equipment.
Three octopus and 75 lobsters were seized, said officers. Of these 19 lobsters were already spawning and 43 were not fixed with the minimum size required by law to be taken, said the officer's report.
Lobsters that were still alive were returned to the sea.
One of the two men, the one surnamed Estrada, has a criminal record for two cases of illegal fishing, said the officials.
Both men were taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where they were interviewed by the authorities. And they must remain in custody until a judge orders any pre-trial measures against them.
Coast Guard officials make a call to the people to report any suspicion of illegal fishing. Complains are confidential and can be made at the lines 2226-3228 or 2226-3238.
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