Fishermen Given a Jail Pass for Illegal Fishing

Marvin Patt

Two fishermen from Chunox, Corozal District, appeared for the second time in court for illegally fishing inside a natural monument. Marvin Patt, and his cousin Edison Patt were charged with illegal entry into the Blue Hole Natural Monument. They wasted no time and pleaded guilty before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza who imposed a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars for the offense which carries a maximum fine of twenty thousand dollars.  Both men have a previous conviction for fishing illegally inside the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument. The men must pay the fine by April twenty-third. Magistrate Mendoza explained to them that while the fine appears to be a slap on the risk, they should take it as a warning. The magistrate told the Patts that he took into consideration the fact that they saved the court’s time when they pleaded guilty to the offenses.

Edson Patt