An Albanian fishing trawler was caught illegally fishing south of Molunt, southern Croatia on Monday and its commander has been fined 78,000 kuna (€10,400), Dubrovnik-Neretva County police said on Wednesday.

The national maritime centre noticed the trawler in Croatian waters on Monday morning.

“The vessel was travelling at a speed of 2.5 knots, which indicated that it might be engaged in fishing which is banned for vessels from third countries,” a police press release said.

The police intervened in cooperation with an inspector from the Ministry of Agriculture while the Albanian trawler was located 3.13 nautical miles inside Croatia’s exclusive economic zone.

The trawler was directed to Dubrovnik where charges were filed.

“The Municipal Court fined the commander of the Albanian trawler 6,000 kuna (€800), and he was also obliged to pay 72,258 (€9,600) in damages,” the press release said.

After paying the fine, the trawler left Croatian waters today.