WINDHOEK, Oct 5 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Seven Namibian fishermen returned to Namibia two weeks ago after being detained at the port of Al Mukalla in Yemen for almost a year.
Their detention and that of 24 other fishermen from Russia, Indonesia, Peru and Senegal, was effected after their vessel, the Cobija, was held at a port in Yemen when their captain, Pablo Villar, was informed Australia had issued an Interpol warrant for his arrest over the illegal catching of toothfish.
The crew has been detained since Sept 26 last year and were only released two weeks ago with the help of Vilho Nghifidaka, Namibia’s ambassador to Egypt.
In a series of letters Villar sent to Nghifidaka, the Namibians said their situation was dire, and asked to be repatriated.
They said while detained they feared contracting Covid-19, and that they did not have the finances to travel from Yemen to Windhoek.
They claimed their vessel was infested with rats and they did not have food and water.
They said they were afraid of losing their lives – not only due to drought, but also because of the armed conflict in Yemen.
Fish-i Africa reported that the Cobija was suspected to be involved in toothfish poaching in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) convention area.
At the time, the Cobija was allegedly carrying 228 tonnes of frozen toothfish worth approximately N$65 million.
The Namibians on board were Julius Nghitila, Onesmus Kashala, Festus Kashala, Ananias Nawa, Jeremia Kashala, Abner Kawaya and Shikambe Natatius.
Several international news agencies reported early this year that the Cobija is believed to be a stateless vessel, following de-registration by its flag state Bolivia in January 2019.
Fish-i Africa reported the vessel had various countries’ flags stored in its bridge.
The Cobija is berthed in Myanmar, while a forged Puntland licence has allegedly been issued, and it is claimed it has been sold to a Somali company called Precision Shipping Services for US$300, 000 (about N$4.5 million). — NNN-AGENCIES
