Russian nationals Pavlo Tarakanov (50), Sergey Valkovsky (47) and Yuriy Parazhnikov (57) first appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Vicky Nicolaidis and were then whisked to the Regional Court only minutes later.

Their charges include dumping fish at sea - alternatively quota or fishing licence violations - and failing to have the necessary documents on board.

The men were arrested and charged on instruction of the Prosecutor General.

Magistrate Dinnah Usiku granted the three men bail of N$15 000 each on condition that they hand over their passports to the investigating officer and that they report to the investigating officer whenever their vessel docks.

The date for plea and trial was set for December 8 to 12.

The three captains were allowed to continue with their contractual duties for Namsov.

In September 2007 seven horse mackerel vessels were recalled from the fishing grounds.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources said that suspect devices, allegedly used for dumping fish, were found on board the vessels.

The vessels were contracted by Namsov fishing and Erongo Marine Enterprises.

All the captains are allegedly Russian.

Tarakanov, Valkovsky and Parazhnikov returned to Russia while waiting for the Prosecutor General's decision on their case.

An agreement was made with the company and their legal representatives that a formal arrest would be made upon the men's return to Namibia.

It is believed that the remaining captains will face similar charges in the near future.

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