A fisherman from Chunox Village is facing serious charges after he was allegedly caught with 51 undersized conchs - an offence that could cost him a staggering fine of up to $150,000 dollars plus additional penalties for each illegal catch.
Twenty-one-year-old Ender Abias Contreras, a fisherman from Chunox in the Corozal District, appeared unrepresented in the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning. He was read a single charge of possession of undersized conch, to which he pleaded not guilty.
According to the Fisheries Department, on Thursday, October 16, 2025, around 3:55 p.m., Contreras was found on a canoe in the vicinity of Three Corner Caye Zone in possession of 51 unprocessed conchs, each reportedly measuring less than the legal limit of 7 1/2 inches.
Contreras has denied the allegation and says he intends to challenge the department to prove its case against him. If convicted, he faces a mandatory fine of up to $150,000, along with an additional $30 to $50 penalty per undersized conch.
The Magistrate granted Contreras bail of $6,000 dollars.
Contreras is due back in court in December 2025 as the case continues.
