Taiwan demands release of boat caught illegally fishing in Chinese waters

Taipei, July 3 (CNA) — Government officials on Wednesday called for the immediate release of a Taiwanese vessel and its crew caught illegally fishing in Chinese waters Tuesday night.

At a news conference, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) said the government was “very concerned” about the seizure of the Penghu-registered Da Jin Man No.88 and its two Taiwanese and three Indonesian crew members.

She added that Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Fisheries Agency are also providing assistance on the issue by engaging and coordinating their efforts through cross-strait channels.

According to Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA), the Da Jin Man No. 88 was intercepted 11.2 nautical miles inside China-controlled waters around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The Chinese coast guard later seized the vessel after an inspection revealed the ship had been illegally catching squid, the CGA said.

By 10:30 p.m., the Da Jin Man No. 88 had been escorted to the port of Weitou in China’s Fujian province, where its crew was detained, the CGA said.

China bans fishing in the waters where the Da Jin Man No. 88 was seized from May to August each year to allow fish stocks to recover.

Meanwhile, in response to the incident, Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun (劉德軍) said the vessel was suspected of violating China’s regulations on the fishing season closure, engaging in illegal trawling operations and using banned small-mesh nets.

However, China very rarely inspects or detains Taiwanese vessels in the waters where the Da Jin Man No. 88 was intercepted, an area where fishing boats from both sides of the strait have long operated, Taiwan’s fisheries agency said in a statement Wednesday.

Over the past 20 years, only 17 Taiwanese boats have been seized by Chinese authorities for fishing during the closed season, and all were released “promptly,” according to the CGA.

Of the 17 people arrested, 11 were released within three days, while six were allowed to leave following negotiations between Taiwanese and Chinese authorities, the CGA said.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday about the incident, Fisheries Agency Director-General Chang Chih-sheng (張致盛) said the agency had informed Taiwanese boats of the closed season and asked them not to fish in China-controlled waters during the period.

Meanwhile, the MAC said on Wednesday that it would ask Chinese authorities for a detailed explanation of the incident and the reasons for the boarding and detention through cross-strait channels to resolve any unnecessary speculation.

In a statement, the MAC said it hoped China would promptly release the crew and the ship in accordance with relevant regulations and procedures after clarification, and ensure the safety of all personnel.

Also on Wednesday, Executive Yuan spokesman Chen Shi-kai (陳世凱) said he had once again warned Taiwanese fishermen not to violate China’s regulations on the fishing season closure.

However, Chen said Chinese authorities should show compassion for the hardships fishermen face when they risk their lives to earn a living, adding that China should release the Da Jin Man No.88 and its crew as soon as possible.