The skipper of a foreign fishing vessel was Wednesday January 15th  fined R200,000 by the Supreme Court for fishing illegally in Seychelles waters.

Mohamed Sareef Mohamed Niyas, a Sri Lankan national, was convicted and sentenced on two counts of unauthorized fishing in Seychelles waters contrary to section 14 of the Fisheries Act.

The Court, presided over by Chief Justice Vivekanand Alleear, sentenced the convict to pay a fine of R100,000 on each count.

The Court also forfeited the vessel, Charita Putha "3", and all the fishing gears and equipment on board. 

The fines have to be paid within one month of date of sentence in default of which the convict will spend a total of 12 months in prison.

The Court also ordered that the Charita Putha "3" not be sold or disposed of before February 15, 2003.

The Republic was represented by Mr Ronny Govinden and the convict was defended by Mr Frank Elizabeth.

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