Senegal seizes Russian vessel for 'illegal fishing' 6 January 2014 Last updated at 11:18 Senegal has seized a Russian vessel after accusing its sailors of fishing illegally in its waters. Sixty-two Russians and 20 nationals of neighbouring Guinea-Bissau were detained when the navy raided the trawler, Oleg Naydenov, Senegal's armed forces spokesman Abou Thiam said. West African governments are battling to curb illegal fishing, which is threatening fishing stocks. The French military is helping Senegal to tackle the problem. There are about 50 such ships operating off our coast, entering [Senegalese territorial waters] fraudulently from time to time End Quote Haidar El-Ali Fisheries minister The Oleg Naydenov was a "repeat offender" which had been spotted by a French military plane, Fisheries Minister Haidar El-Ali said at a press conference. Senegal was planning to adopt a decree that would allow the government to take ownership of foreign ships "that pillage our resources," he said. Senegal could impose a fine of 200m CFA francs ($414,000; £253,000, 304,400 euros) for illegal fishing but it could be doubled for the Oleg Naydenov because it was a "repeat offender," Mr Ali said. The minister said the US Agency for International Development estimated that Senegal lost about 150bn CFA francs a year because of illegal fishing by foreign trawlers. There are about 50 such ships operating off our coast, entering [Senegalese territorial waters] fraudulently from time to time. We will not allow this," Mr Ali said. The owners of the ship have not yet commented.