Fishermen punished for illegal shrimp trawling
A Bahraini man and three Indian nationals have been sentenced for using banned bottom trawling nets to catch shrimp, with the court handing down jail terms, fines, and deportation orders.
The Sixth Minor Criminal Court gave the Bahraini defendant 15 days behind bars.
The three Indian men were sentenced to a month in prison, with one fined BD100, and all ordered to be deported for good.
The court also ruled that the boat and fishing gear used in the offence be seized.
'Kofa'
The case came to light after the Coast Guard spotted a boat with three men aboard using bottom trawling nets, known locally as 'Kofa'.
On seeing a patrol, they tried to flee but were chased down and caught.
Officers found fresh shrimp in their possession.
Commercial fishing
During questioning, the men admitted they were engaged in commercial fishing with the banned nets.
Investigators found that the Bahraini man had provided the boat and fishing equipment.
The Public Prosecution ordered their detention while the case was examined before referring it to court, where the sentences were handed down.
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