Environment Ministry Impounds Illegal Fishing Instruments in Bahía de Samaná

The Ministry of Environment and Natural resources carried out a land and water operation in Bahía de Samaná in which they confiscated illegal fishing equipment and arrested four people.

The Environment Ministry issued a call to all those utilizing these illegal fishing practices, mainly in Bahía de Samaná, to stop immediately or they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Law 64-00.

The crackdown was coordinated between the Office of Protection, Monitoring and Control of Coasts and Marine Life, the National Environment Protection Service (SENPA) and the Provincial Office of Environment in Samaná. They impounded such equipment as “licuadora” machines as well as dragnets and outboard motor boats used for the purpose of dragging the sea floor and catching fish within protected areas thus destroying their production habits and therefore the general ecosystem, according to Pedro Antonio Montero of the Coasts and Marine Life monitoring group.

The licuadoras (or blenders) are extremely lethal nets used to drag the ocean floor with sharp, small instruments like knives and mesh nets that kill off any species in its path, from larva and crustaceans to coral and algae, an important source of food for many marines species. The sea life that is dredged from the seafloor is so worthless, it often ends up being sold as pig feed.

The operation, carried out in the communities of La Garita, Cangrejo, La Plazoleta, Pueblo Arriba and Bahía de San Lorenzo, came as a response to complaints made by fishermen in Samaná whose catch has been affected by the toxic effects of the frequent use of these illegal instruments which dangerously reduce the fish and crustacean population.

As part of the crackdown, equipment was destroyed and a those found in possession of it were indicted at the courts in Sánchez. Among the species being caught with this practice were seahorses, baby shrimp, crustaceans, fish eggs and mojarras, all in a premature stage of development. 

The Environment Ministry issued a call to all those utilizing these illegal fishing practices, mainly in Bahía de Samaná, to stop immediately or they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Law 64-00.

Blender Operacion

Blender Operación .

Blender Operacion