Illegal fishing off l-Ahrax Point

At about 1300 hrs on Thursday, 9th January, 1997, while AFM Patrol Craft P25 was on patrol duties, a fishing trawler by the name of MARSAIOLA was noticed to be trawling in a position 2.25 Nautical Miles off "L-Ahrax Point". As trawling within three Nautical Miles from the coast is prohibited by Law, P25 intercepted the MARSAIOLA and the latter's crew was directed to haul the nets and to proceed towards St Paul's Bay. An AFM Alouette helicopter was immediately dispatched to the area to assist in the escort operation.

While on its way to Mellieha, the Alouette helicopter noticed that another fishing trawler, named ZEUS, was trawling in a position 2.39 Nautical Miles from "L-Ahrax". Patrol craft P23 which was also on patrol duties was directed to the area in order to intercept the ZEUS and escort her to St Paul's Bay.

In both cases the Police and the Fisheries Department were notified. Both trawlers were in fact handed to the District Police in the presence of Department of Fisheries Officials, respectively at 1416 hrs and 1448 hrs.