Twelve fishermen busted with over 1,100 conch fined more than $55,000

Published by [email protected] at October 2, 2023

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Posted: Monday, October 2, 2023. 11:02 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twelve fishermen from Chunox Village in the Corozal District, were busted on September 30 with over 1,100 out of season conch and were issued fines totalling over $55,000.

Graciano Alfonso Tun, 47; Valderrama Elgaer Santoya, 38; Ivan Wilbert Itzab 25; Wilfred Amalio Tun, 30; Marcel Evair Mendez, 32; Arick Ahrei Romero, 37; Edson Ubaldi Santoya, 31; Rudilio Ronaldo Santoya, 39; Egbert Joisimar Mendez, 35; Jorge Mauricio Casanova, 25; Edimar Hipolito Santoya, 30; and Adrian Fidel Montalvo, 47 all appeared unrepresented in court.

The bust was made only hours before the conch season officially opened. Authorities stopped the vessel name, “Luisannie” at approximately 2 miles south of the Blue Hole National Monument on Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Three repeat offenders were fined $1,500 each plus $5 cost of court and the others were fined $1,000 plus $5 cost of court. Fines were also tallied for each of the 1,118 illegal conch and in total, fines came up to $55,900 and was split between the 12 fishermen. Each fisherman is now responsible for a $4,658.33 fine to be paid by January 31, 2023 in default 3 months in jail.

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