MOSCOW, February 7 (RAPSI) – A criminal case over illegal crab fishing in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula has been opened against a foreign sea vessel captain, the regional environmental prosecutor's office announced on Tuesday.

The 54-year old captain of the ship Viril sailing under the flag of Belize is suspected of unlicensed prospecting for natural resources of Russia’ exclusive economic zone, the statement reads.

The ship crew under the captain’s leadership had illegally fished out and transported about 13,500 blue king crabs. Their unlawful activity was stopped on January 26, according to prosecutors.

In order to suppress a fact of fishing and distribution of crabs, the captain has not compiled fishing and marine documentation, has not crossed sea control points at entrance to the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Russian Federation and has not filed relevant notifications and reports with regulatory agencies, a representative of the prosecutor’s office said.

According to investigation, damage estimated at over 5.5 million rubles was caused to Russia’s aquatic bio resources.  All crabs fished out by the suspects were returned to the native habitat. The vessel was arrested.