Several fishermen who were taken into custody last Friday has been charged, and will be taken before the court today.
Charged for failure to provide a valid fishing licence, the men are expected to appear at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.
The men who were arrested last Friday
Last Friday, a number of fishermen were arrested at the Hope Canal after searches conducted by the Police revealed they were operating without any legal documents which allow them to fish in Guyana’s waters. They were each released on $20,000 station bail.
The fishermen, in their defence, noted they were unaware of any intention to have them arrested, since they would usually receive a visit from the Fisheries Department in which $15,000 would be paid and valid licences would be supplied two weeks later.
In light of this incident, Global Seafood Distributors company has collaborated with its suppliers so as assist the fishermen in obtaining licences for their boats. The results of today’s proceedings would determine the outcome of the case as well as the consequences for not abiding by the laws and regulations.
