Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Navy has arrested two fishing vessels engaged in illegal activities within the country’s territorial waters during a three-day joint operation with regional partners, signaling a renewed push to combat the plunder of marine resources in the Gulf of Guinea.

The coordinated exercise, which ran from Thursday, 19, to Saturday, 21 September 2025, involved joint patrols between The Gambia Navy and the Senegalese Navy vessel SNS Niani.

A Gambian Special Operation Force was also embedded on board the Senegalese vessel as part of the intensified surveillance.

According to the Navy, the two vessels were intercepted in The Gambia’s Exclusive Economic Zone for serious infringements, including fishing without proper catch logging, a violation of national fisheries laws.

The vessels whose identity has not been revealed have since been handed over to national authorities for investigation and possible prosecution.

A statement by the Gambia Armed Forces says “The operation underscores The Gambia’s commitment to protecting its blue economy” from the devastating impacts of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which threatens food security and economic stability across the region.”

In a statement, the Gambia Navy hailed the operation as a success and expressed appreciation to regional partners and domestic agencies for their collaboration.

It emphasized that the crackdown reinforces the country’s key role in regional strategies aimed at eliminating illegal fishing and promoting responsible ocean governance.