This week, news hit the international press that a Belize-flagged vessel, Greko 1, had been slapped with a US$65,000 sanction after it was accused of fishing in Somalian waters, without a valid fishing license. The case also involves allegations of fishing in prohibited areas, forgery of official documents, and fishing with illegal gear.
Although the vessel is said to be Panamanian, online vessel registry records connect it with European investors. Since the vessel was built in 1991 for a Greek owner, the matter is also a concern for the European Union (EU), which had a few years ago issued Belize a red card, resulting in sanctions over IUU fishing allegations on the high seas.
The international press reported this week that the Greek owners of Greko 1, who have not been named, had paid US$65,000 (£52,185) to Somali authorities. Information, reportedly released by the US mission to Somalia, indicated that the Belize-registered vessel, said to be Panamanian, was detained in October in the port-capital of Mogadishu with an estimated 30 tons (60,000 pounds) of frozen fish.
Greko 1 was fined for possession of forged authorizations and licenses to operate in Somali waters and not providing catch report, the statement added. The fine could have been as much as US$600,000, reports say.
Furthermore, the vessel was said to have been using banned fishing gear, specifically trawling gear, prohibited under the Somali Fisheries Law. The vessel reportedly fled Somalia for neighboring Kenya. It is currently grounded at Mombasa City in Kenya.
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