The Italian fishing stern trawler vessel TRAMONTANA that was seized by the Libyan Coast Guard on 22nd July in the Gulf of Sidra, around 50 nautical miles off the Libyan coast reportedly, catching shrimp was released on Wednesday 24th July.
Libya considers a 50 mile zone as her exclusive economic zone, claim strongly opposed by Italy and other coastal States in the region. Seizure of TRAMONTANA seems to be one more incident in never ending fishing wars, having nothing to do with political mess in the region.
Once the trawler was seized she was taken to Qasr Ahmed (Misurata Port) a city allied to the U.N. recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez Al Serraj.
The vessel was built in 1994 at Campobasso, Termoli. Her callsign is INCP with length overall of 29.59 m; 165 GRT and homeported at Mazara Del Vallo with registration number as MV00405M. She was built as PRINCIPESSA PRIMA of which had several homeports as seen below –
In fact as PRINCIPESSA PRIMA she was caught in illegal fishing together with other fishing vessel LA MADONNINA in Maltese Waters back to August 2013.
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/afm-intercepts-italian-fishing-vessels.480365
Rome said the reasons for the seizure were not clear, but were likely linked to fishing activities in Libyan territorial waters that Italy itself considers “risky”, the statement said, noting that Italian vessels have been warned not to enter those waters.
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
