Staff Reporter
THE Namibian Navy flagship, the NS Elephant, intercepted and apprehended a foreign-flagged fishing vessel, FU YUAN YU 9878, on 17 May 2026 for allegedly engaging in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities within Namibia’s sovereign waters.
“The apprehension of this fishing vessel unequivocally demonstrates the robust enforcement protocols established to safeguard Namibia’s marine resources, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders,” the Navy said in a statement issued by Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, Head of the Public Relations Division.
According to the Namibian Navy, the vessel was intercepted at approximately 10:40 local time while the NS Elephant was conducting a routine patrol along Namibia’s northern maritime border near the Republic of Angola.
The Navy said that the vessel was intercepted within Namibia’s Contiguous Zone and Territorial Waters, specifically within the country’s 24/12 nautical mile jurisdiction. At the time of the interception, the vessel was allegedly engaged in unauthorised harvesting of an unspecified fish species and was found with a full fishing net onboard.
During a subsequent boarding and inspection operation, fisheries inspectors reportedly confirmed that the vessel did not possess a valid harvesting permit or quota allocation.
Authorities further alleged that the vessel had been operating unlawfully within a restricted fishing zone and was carrying unreported fish species. Additional violations reportedly included the captain’s failure to produce a valid fishing licence, while investigators also established that the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) had allegedly been deliberately switched off prior to interception.
The crew onboard consisted of 22 men, including four Chinese nationals and 18 Angolan nationals.
According to the Navy, the suspects are expected to appear before the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on multiple charges linked to illegal fishing activities.
The Namibian Navy further reiterated its commitment to combating maritime crimes and protecting the country’s marine resources.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed
