The vessels were seized by the Navy for illegal fishing.

The commander said fishing trawlers that violate the law of fishing within the country's territorial waters would “feel the full weight of the law.’’
Uwadiae said a total of eight vessels were arrested in Lagos and Port Harcourt, stressing that “the Navy has zero tolerance to illegality and maintains its collaboration with sister agencies to check the activities of vessels on Nigerian waters.

The commander said fishing trawlers that violate the law of fishing within the country's territorial waters would “feel the full weight of the law.’’
Uwadiae said a total of eight vessels were arrested in Lagos and Port Harcourt, stressing that “the Navy has zero tolerance to illegality and maintains its collaboration with sister agencies to check the activities of vessels on Nigerian waters.
“After arresting the vessels, our preliminary investigations showed that the four vessels being handed over to the fisheries department have been fishing at sea for over one month with expired licences.
“We found that they have not acquired fishing licences for this year and have been at sea for over a month, which is a breach of the Fisheries Act.
“Moreover, the quantity of fish onboard the vessels is enormous and that is why the vessels are being handed over to the appropriate agency for further action.
“I am, therefore, using this avenue to warn stakeholders that our maritime domain is properly governed and policed and will not tolerate any form of illegality.’’
The Navy boss said fishing companies were advised to procure relevant documents from the fishing department before engaging in any activity “and those who have the documents should not keep it at home.’’
Speaking after receiving the vessels, the Assistant Chief Fisheries Officer, Hyacinth Okpe, said juvenile fish fishing was illegal and actionable.
Okpe said “if you have a fishing licence, the minimum size of fish to catch is 76mm when stretched. If it is a shrimp licence, the shrimp should not be less than 44mm when stretched.
“The essence is to allow the juvenile to escape and avoid endangering the productivity of resources.’’
The vessels arrested include fishing trolleys, Sunny one, Sunny two, Golden Gulf one and Golden Gulf two, alleged to have operated in the nation's waters with expired fishing licences.
Meanwhile, another vessel, LURONGYU, belonging to Sunrise Fishing Company, also arrested, was returned to the company after the navy discovered that the vessel was licensed, but did not have its document onboard.