The 32 fishermen from the Dominican Republic, who were last Sunday caught fishing illegally in Jamaicans waters, have been slapped with a $4million fine.
Local authorities said the fine is one of the largest to be imposed on persons, who have committed similar offence in Jamaican waters.
The group members, caught with approximately $10 million worth of fish on their vessel, were slapped with the fines and remanded in custody when they appeared in court on Friday.
The Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard reportedly caught the men fishing illegally in the North West Ridge area, a popular fishing ground for local fishermen close to the Pedro Cays.
Reports are that the Coast Guard was patrolling the area in one of the new patrol vessels, the HMJS Cornwall, when the vessel’s radar detected the foreign vessel.
Upon the approach of the patrol vessel and despite a reported order to stop, the poachers reportedly sped off in an effort to avoid being boarded.
However, the military team launched a high-speed boat from the ship, and chased down the foreign fishermen.
When they boarded the boat, they reportedly found a huge quantity of fish, a shotgun, some 20 rounds of ammunition, and the 32 nationals of the Dominican Republic.
The men were taken to the Coast Guard Headquarters, Port Royal, where they were processed by police and immigration and health officials.
During the checks, local authorities discovered that the men did not have the required fishing licenses to operate in Jamaican waters.
The development has signaled some hope from members of the local fishing community, who have for years had to compete with poachers in Jamaican waters.