Earlier this morning, the Armed Forces mounted a fisheries control operation in which AFM maritime assets detected two Italian registered Fishing vessels namely fishing vessels FV LA Madonnina, and FV Principessa Prima that at the time were engaged in fishing activities within the Maltese Fisheries Conservation and Management Zone (FCMZ), without the appropriate permits. AFM personnel have boarded both vessels and in light of preliminary evidence gathered , both vessels are being brought to Malta for further investigation with the assistance of the Fisheries Control division.