A joint patrol by the Belize Coast Guard and the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment took place on May 13, 2023, at 3:45am. They headed towards the Cayman Crown Area of the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. During their journey, at around 4:50am and approximately 6.7 miles away from Cayman Crown, they noticed a vessel. After pursuing it, they apprehended three individuals who were aboard an unmarked vessel in blue and black colors. These individuals were taken to Hunting Caye, where the vessel, its occupants, and its contents were processed. Later, they were transported to the Punta Gorda Town Police Station around 10:20am.
The individuals caught, namely Julio Cesar Hernandez Cover, Rosalio Ramos Cartajena, and Andres Salguero Pineda, were found to be illegally fishing within SCMR Conservation Zone IV. They faced charges including Commercial Fishing in Conservation Zone IV, fishing without a valid fishing license, fishing without a valid boat license, and immigration charges. On May 15, 2023 each of them was fined a total of $4,020. Additionally, the Belize Fisheries Department, acting on behalf of the Government of Belize made a request which was granted for the confiscation of the vessel, engine, and its contents.
