Teams from the Istanbul Provincial Police Department's Marine Port Branch carried out an operation early this morning targeting illegal mussel poachers on the coast near Kuzguncuk neighborhood in the Üsküdar district.
Within the framework of the ongoing investigation, police identified that mussels were being thrown onto the shore in sacks from the sea, and seized 1.5 tons of illegal mussels collected in prohibited areas, contained within 75 sacks.
SUSPECTS APPREHENDED
It was reported that 2 suspects, identified as A.B. and V.A., were apprehended in connection with the incident.
Legal proceedings were initiated against the detained illegal mussel poachers for harvesting mussels in a prohibited area.
ADMINISTRATIVE FINES ISSUED
A total administrative fine of 52 thousand 484 Turkish Lira was issued to the suspects.
It was stated that the 1.5 tons of seized mussels were dumped back into the sea to ensure they could continue to survive and be returned to their natural habitat.
On the other hand, it was understood that the sacks full of mussels were collected to be put on the market in metropolises such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
News Source: İHA
