A man died in the early hours of Tuesday while illegally fishing underwater in the Ria Formosa near Fuseta, Olhão.
Alone, unmarked, at 01.40 a.m in a zone where swimming underwater to catch fish is strictly banned, the man was hit by a passing pleasure boat close to the pier.
When the Maritime Police and the medical team arrived there was nothing they could do to save him and the lifeless body was brought ashore.
The occupants of the boat involved in the accident said they did not see the man in the water and only realised what had happened when they heard a bump and turned to see what they had hit.
According to the authorities, the victim was a 37-year-old man from Olhão who was well known for the practice of illegal underwater fishing in the early hours.
According to the commander of the Port of Olhão, Nunes Ferreira, the victim committed two illegalities.
"In the Algarve, underwater fishing is banned across the Ria Formosa and the practice also is illegal at night throughout the country,” said Ferreira.
