According to local news source a Taiwanese fishing boat, Fong Seong 779, was arrested inside Kiribati’s 200 mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters. The boat is said to have violated the regional Rukuruke Operation, an agreement signed by Pacific countries for foreign fishing boats operating inside their waters.
As per the Rukuruku Operation all foreign fishing boats fishing in the waters of signatories to record their daily activities in ship log books, including the date of their entry into a particular EEZ. Kiribati fisheries officer Taratau Kirata explained that the captain of Fong Seong 779 purse seiner failed to use the English language when logging and also failed to present the vessel’s operation license when inspected, last Sunday, near Nonouti Island, in Central Kiribati.
Kirata also added that Fong Seong 779 is licensed to fish in our waters, there’s no doubt about that. But the arrest was made in accordance with the Rukuruku Operation declaration, informed Kirata. He narrate that his log book showed no entry date, it’s written in Taiwanese and two days of activities were not entered.
The Kiribati Maritime Fisheries Enforcement Committee, which decides on the amount of fine to be imposed for foreign boats caught fishing illegally inside Kiribati waters, fined the Taiwanese boat US$100,000. The AG’s office and the Minister for Fisheries Taberanang Timeon were endorsed the fine.
