Three individuals have been arrested by the Coastguard after they were allegedly found using banned bottom trawling nets and failed to comply with security and legal procedures, despite being warned more than once and repeatedly ordered to stop.
According to an Interior Ministry statement, they crossed the maritime borders of the kingdom and then returned to its waters.
They also prevented police personnel from carrying out monitoring and inspection duties, and failed to operate the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Necessary legal procedures have been taken and the arrested individuals have been referred to the Public Prosecution.
The Coastguard called on all seafarers and fishermen to fully comply with laws regulating fishing and maritime navigation, immediately follow the orders of marine patrols, and co-operate with police personnel during monitoring and inspection operations.
It affirmed that it will not tolerate any violations or illegal practices that could undermine maritime security or harm marine resources, and that it will continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement operations and take legal action against violators.
The Public Prosecution yesterday stated that three men were charged with sailing during the maritime ban, assaulting public security officers, damaging a Coastguard patrol boat and fishing with illegal trawling nets.
They were arrested after refusing to comply with the Coastguard, who approached them for violating the maritime ban period, which extends from 6.30pm to 4am.
Instead of co-operating, the suspects’ boat allegedly collided with the patrol boat, injuring policemen and causing two suspects to fall into the sea, who were rescued by the Coastguard.
The third suspect is said to have sailed away, and the Coastguard pursued him to a shallow-water area and managed to apprehend him.
The Public Prosecution officially charged the three men, and investigations continue ahead of a criminal trial.
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