Harpoon fishermen arrested by Rangers and Department of Fisheries officers

Two men who were illegally spear fishing off the coast of L-Aħrax, Mellieħa, were arrested red-handed by officers of the Department of Fisheries and the Malta Rangers unit on Saturday evening.

The Rangers unit said its volunteers spotted the two men at Slugs Bay, Aħrax (Mellieħa) at around 11pm and immediately alerted the fisheries department.

The two men were surprised as soon as they came out of the water and their equipment and catches were confiscated by department agents.

Rangers said the vehicles used by the two men were located and one was found to belong to a person previously captured in mid-April while spearfishing in the bay of Mistra.

The unit explained that night fishing with lights is prohibited in bays and harbors under Maltese and European law.

Legal proceedings will be initiated against the two men.