Illegal boat impounded in Bakassi waters as government strive to boost fish production.

Cameroonian navy officials have arrested and impounded a fishing vessel operating in a restricted area in the Bakassi waters. The vessel that had on board three Cameroonians and two Chinese according to navy sources was caught in possession of immature fishes and  said to be using unauthorized fishing net.

The vessel was thus docked at the Bota wharf in Limbe before handing it over to the authorities of Livestock, fisheries and Animal industries  in the south west region. The owner of the vessel who was also arrested and ferried to Buea paid a sum of 6 million fcfa as fines before being freed though the content of the vessel was auctioned.

 

However, government in this light has doubled effort in revamping the fishing sector. The Maritime Artisanal Fisheries Development Mission (MDPAM) has invested a sum of 810 million fcfa in the sector to encourage sustainable production. The amount was disclosed in Douala during the board meeting of the structure. New methods of fishing as well as preservation mechanisms were slso discussed during the meeting chaired by Dr Taiga, minister of livestock fisheries and Animal Industries.

 

 The executive secretary of MDPAM, Salvador Ngouande reiterated the need for Cameroonians to invest in the sector so as to curb the high importation rate of fish in Cameroon while also rebuking those involved in illegal fishing and smuggling.