Cozumel, Q.R. — Two people seen illegally snorkelling and fishing off the island of Cozumel managed to get away before police arrived to arrest them.
Elements of the Navy and the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas in Cozumel say they located two people who were snorkelling and fishing in a prohibited area. The pair were seen in Tormentos on the southern coast from where they fled before the arrival of police.
Federal elements discovered their Honda motorcycle which was in an area of vegetation and sand at Curva Tormentos. The pair were discovered in the water during a tour by public officials through the southern coastal area of the island.
Subsequently, two men were discovered swimming with snorkel gear, one of which, was armed with a harpoon. Agents requested both men get out of the water since there is a current fishing restriction and virus contingency, however, when they reached shore, they denied owning the bike and fled when officials called police.
Authorities found their harpoon embedded with several species including snail, lobster and fish. The area where they were fishing is part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, where fishing is prohibited.
