TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Chinese fishing boat and its crew were released early by the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on Tuesday (July 9) after paying the minimum fine for poaching, with the hopes that China will reciprocate by freeing a Taiwanese fishing crew.
On June 23, the CGA in Penghu intercepted an unnamed, unregistered, and unlicensed Chinese fishing boat 36 km (19.5 NM) northwest of the territorial sea baseline of Penghu's Hua Islet, reported SET News. Over 100 kg of the boat's catch was thrown overboard, and the four crew members were detained.
On Tuesday, an appointed representative of the fishing vessel paid a fine of NT$300,000 (US$9,205). The crew and boat were then released that afternoon.
In the past, the CGA would detain Chinese fishing boats caught operating illegally for at least 30 days, based on the Cross-Strait Act. This time, processing was expedited and completed within half a month.
Penghu authorities believe this accelerated handling is related to the negotiations regarding the Da Jin Man No. 88 (大進滿88號), which the Chinese coast guard seized. They hope the Taiwanese boat will be released promptly after paying the fine.
According to the Cross-Strait Act, if a Chinese vessel violates the provisions of Article 32, Paragraph 1, it may be detained, and the owner, operator, captain, or pilot of the ship can be fined between NT$300,000 and NT$10 million.
The Da Jin Man No. 88 went out to sea on June 30 and on July 2 was seized by two Chinese coast guard vessels for allegedly illegally fishing for squid within Chinese territorial waters. Currently, the crew and the boat are detained at Fujian's Weitou Port for investigation.
Both the central government and local authorities in Penghu are using various channels to secure the prompt release of the crew and the boat.
