Vietnamese boat, crew held for illegal fishing
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — A Vietnamese fishing vessel was seized and its crewmembers were arrested for illegal fishing in the waters off Cagayan last week.
A patrol boat of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources spotted the Vietnamese vessel and its crew while poaching off Dalupiri island, Arsenio Bañares, BFAR’s fisheries management, regulatory and enforcement division chief, said yesterday.
The suspects were identified as boat captain Nguyen Duc Teang, Le Van Nhanil, Cao Minh Tan, Nguyen Viet Cong, Nguyen Viet Thank, Tra Minh Trung and Dang Ngoc Trung.
At least 30 pieces of blue marlin and assorted sizes of yellowfin tuna as well as several boxes of squid bait were recovered from the suspects.
“The vessel was apprehended 20.5 nautical miles northwest of Dalupiri, which is well within the Philippine territory,” Bañares said.
He said the crewmembers underwent inquest proceedings for violation of the Fisheries Code.
Bañares said the Vietnamese fishermen face imprisonment of up to two years and two months and a fine of up to $1.2 million.
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