The Strict Regulation Of Prohibited Gill-Net Fishing – and Also a Case Of Possible Sea Piracy Down South
Dangriga police detain 3 of 4 Fisherman from Dangriga Town, just after they exited the courtroom on Fisheries offenses! “Police down south believe the men are linked to a recent incident of ‘Piracy At Sea’ ”
by Anita Nembhard-Flowers
Belize City, Thurs. Feb. 18, 2021
Three of four fishermen arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on possession of shark, possession of bone fish, gill nets and for using gill net are back in authorities custody at the Dangriga Police Station pending additional charges in connection with a robbery at sea.
Shortly before 12:00 noon this afternoon, the group of Fishermen from Dangriga Town were arraign before Magistrate Khadeen Palmer on six fisheries offenses of which they all pleaded not guilty to and were feed on bail which they met, but freedom short lived as police officers lay waited them outside the court steps and quickly apprehended them, searched them and detain them; then escorted them down town as part of their ongoing investigation.
32-year-old, Derek Bernaldo Gorosica, of Sabal Community, Dangriga Town, 27-year-old Raheem Vernon, also of Sabal Community, Dangriga Town,22-year-old, Oscar Francisco Gutierrez, of Mile 32, Saint Margaret’s Village, George Price Highway and senior citizen, 49-year-old, Oscar Williams of 1st New Site Area, Dangriga Town.
The fishermen were read six counts in court when they appeared before Magistrate, Khadeen Palmer in Court #6. – One count of Possession of Shark.
Allegations are that on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at about 8:40 a.m., in a vessel name “DJ”, in a creek on the North Eastern part of Northern Long Caye, was found in possession of three sharks when a shark license is requires to be in possession of sharks.
The group was read a second count for possession of Bone Fish for allegedly being in possession of 11 Bone fish when the fish is designates for catch and release only. A third count for possession of gill-nets.
Vernon alone was read a six charge alone for fishing without a valid fishing license.
In court the fishermen all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of $2,500 each which they all met.
They are due back in Court #6 on March 20, 2021.