Navy seized 900 kilograms of shark in Chocó

In recent hours, the Colombian Navy announced that during operations in the Colombian Pacific it seized nearly 900 kilograms of shark, a protected species whose fishing, industrial and artisanal, is prohibited throughout the country.

The 900 kilograms were seized in two operations.

The first seizure was achieved during the maritime patrol work carried out by the Bahia Solano Coast Guard Station, where a fishing boat that had problems in its propulsion system was located 20 nautical miles from the urban area of Bahia Solano, which had problems in its propulsion system and according to what was stated by its crew members, were adrift two days ago.

After finding it, the Navy personnel towed the fishing boat to the pier of the Bahia Solano Coast Guard Station, where “they checked the health status of the crew members finding them in good condition. Subsequently, in coordination with officials from the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (AUNAP) and the Regional Autonomous Corporation for the Sustainable Development of Chocó (Codechocó), an inspection was carried out in which a bag with 15 fins and seven sharks weighing approximately 200 were found kilograms”.

On the other hand, the second seizure was achieved during a routine inspection, also, in Bahia Solano, in which the Navy uniformed men found a boat “in which 30 sharks without heads or fins, weighing approximately 700 kilograms were found”.

It is worth remembering that Decree 281 of 2021 established measures for the protection and conservation of sharks, sea rays and chimeras in Colombia, “these species represent an ecological importance for the maintenance of the health of the seas and oceans of the national territory, which is why their fishing and marketing is prohibited”.

The Navy also announced that, through the Pacific Naval Force, it will continue to strengthen actions to protect and safeguard the fisheries resources, maritime and river areas of the Pacific coast in the National Natural Parks of Utría, Uramba, Gorgona and Sanquianga; the four National Districts of Integrated Management (Cape Mangroves, Bajo Mira and Frontera, Yuruparí and Aji Island) and the Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, with the purpose of countering crimes against activities affecting the marine and coastal environment, as well as continuing to support environmental authorities to maintain their conservation as strategic assets of the nation.

On April 11, the Navy also announced that at the close of the Development Support Day in Munguidó, Chocó, more than 1200 people benefited, thanks to the participation of 41 health professionals from the Misión País Foundation, Colombia Solidaria and Santa Alianza.

The Navy reported that approximately six tons of humanitarian aid were distributed during the day, thus benefiting the indigenous communities of Copoma Perea, Durapdur, Changpien Tordó, Las Delicias, Pangalá.

Likewise, during this day, medical services were provided in optometry, internal medicine, dentistry, gynecology, psychology, speech therapy, dermatology, pediatrics, general medicine and vaccination, as well as recreational recreational activities.

In addition, pediatric growth and development controls, social work talks, prevention of illegal recruitment, domestic violence and prevention of sexual abuse were carried out; drugs, school supply kits, donations, masks, glasses with formula and clothing were delivered.

During this day, the evacuation of a child with health complications due to an inguinal hernia requiring emergency medical attention was carried out. This is how the Colombian Navy had a navalized Bell 412 helicopter and took him with his family to the port of Buenaventura, where he was waited by an ambulance from the Naval Health Establishment in which he was transferred to a medical center in the city for his care and recovery.

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