Chinese fishing boat, crew detained for trespassing off Penghu (首頁 / 地方 中國籍流刺網漁船越界作業 澎湖海巡押返人船)

Chinese fishing boat, crew detained for trespassing off Penghu
06/19/2022 https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202206190007

Taipei, June 19 (CNA) A Chinese fishing vessel and its crew were detained on Saturday after illegally entering waters near the Taiwan-administered Penghu Islands, according to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA).

The Minhuiyu 04236 gillnetter fishing vessel was caught after being detected on radar 12 nautical miles northeast of Penghu's Mudou Island, the Coast Guard's 13th Patrol Area Office said in a press release.

The vessel ignored orders to stop for inspection and attempted to flee, but was intercepted by a Coast Guard ship, whose crew boarded and then searched the fishing vessel, the CGA said.

The fishing boat and its five crew members, all Chinese nationals, were taken into custody, while 30 kilograms of fish discovered on board were tossed into the sea.

The case will be handled in accordance with the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the CGA said.

The Chinese government imposes an annual fishing ban in the South China Sea to give the area's fish stocks the chance to replenish themselves.

The policy frequently draws protests from countries in the region, including the Philippines and Vietnam, while in Taiwan it often brings a rise in poaching incidents by Chinese vessels.

This year's ban applies to waters above 12 degrees north latitude and is in effect from May 1 to August 16.

（中央社澎湖縣19日電）中國籍流刺網漁船「閩惠漁04236號」，駛入澎湖目斗嶼海域作業，澎湖海巡隊前往查緝，人船押返，船上漁獲全數海拋，5名船員留置調查。

海巡署金馬澎分署發布新聞指出，海巡署第13巡防區指揮部昨天運用雷達發現在澎湖北海的目斗嶼海域有不明陸船越界，指揮海巡艇前往查緝。

海巡艇在目斗嶼東北12浬處發現「閩惠漁04236號」流刺網漁船正在作業，當場廣播停俥受檢，但漁船仍加速逃逸，海巡緊追並強靠登檢，海巡人員全身防疫裝備，船上5名船員測量體溫正常，所捕獲的30公斤漁獲全數海拋，船上並未發現有豬牛等製品，人船一併押返調查。

5名陸籍船員昨晚上岸後，並送往醫院進行PCR檢測，今天檢查結果為陰性，目前全數送往岸巡，依兩岸人民關係條例留置調查。（編輯：謝雅竹）1110619

(By Matthew Mazzetta)