A Sicilian fisherman was fined 20,000 by the Magistrate’s court after admitting on Tuesday afternoon to illegally fishing in Maltese waters.
He was caught by the Armed Forces of Malta on Sunday at around 19.00h with 10 swordfish weighing more than 300 kilograms and worth some 2,000.
Mario Montalto, 56, from Portopalo, admitted using a long line fishing method and failing to alert the Maltese authorities of the catch.
He apologised to the authorities in court and was released on bail until sentencing this morning. Magistrate Ian Farrugia took note of the Sicilian early admission and also ordered for the fishing apparatus he had used for the catch to be confiscated. Another court order was that the fish that was found on his boat to confiscated as well.
After the fisherman was arrested the AFM were ordered to ensure that his boat does not leave port. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Montalto.
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