THREE Guyanese fishermen who were nabbed in Suriname waters without the relevant fishing licences faced a charge of illegal departure before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at the New Amsterdam Court.

The trio – Rabindra Goopudat, Sylvanna Jeffrey and Vishnu Persaud — pleaded guilty to the charge, which stated that between November 16 and 22 last, they departed the Number 78 Village foreshore for Suriname other than by an exit under the Immigration Act.
Goopudat, the spokesman, informed the court that they were plying their trade in Suriname waters, and were unaware that their fishing licences had expired until approached by Suriname Police.
The fishermen, of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, had left their home on November 16 last aboard the ‘MV Angelie’ when they were arrested.
After expressing regret over the incident, the men were each fined $30,000 or an alternative of six weeks’ imprisonment.