Six Chinese fishing vessels that were allegedly fishing in national waters without licences may be prosecuted if deemed guilty. (Photo: Stock File)

Illegal vessels will be prosecuted, Govt warns

SOLOMON ISLANDS
Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Any foreign fishing boats found fishing illegally in the waters of the Solomon Islands will be prosecuted if caught, newly appointed Fisheries Minister Jimmy Lusibaea has warned.

He gave the warning after serving letters to six Chinese fishing vessels that were allegedly found fishing in national waters without prescribed licences. They may be prosecuted if deemed guilty.
 
"These six vessels and the two vessels that were arrested and charged earlier in the year, were eight vessels covered under the letter of comfort issued by the Director of Fisheries who is currently on suspension since January 2010," a report read, reports Solomon Star.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Convention (WCPFC) has said that a state can request the listing of a boat on the Commission’s blacklist of vessels if the boat is suspected of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in another country’s territorial waters, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Solomon Islands is now looking to list the six Chinese vessels on the WCPFC’s blacklist, the report informed.

An IUU vessel will typically remain on a blacklist until fines are paid and the vessel owners can prove they can abide by conservation and management measures, the Tuna Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) explained.

Media and Publications Officer at FFA Anouk Ride said these cases will be tackled at a meeting next week of the Technical and Compliance Committee of the WCPFC.

“They will make recommendations to the December meeting of the WCPFC which will finally determine whether or not the fishing vessels are on the blacklist,” she told.

Lusibaea commended his Ministry staff for their dedication to ensure the Chinese vessels are held accountable for their offences in Island waters.

"I am excited to see different ministries and regional institutions working together for the common good of the country. Our letters to the vessels' agents will give a strong signal to all other owners and agents of fleets fishing in our waters that they must abide by our laws and I'm expecting this from all fleets," he concluded.

"I have been briefed also that FFA member countries are working together to strengthen cooperation on Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of our regional fisheries resources against IUU under one of our regional treaties, in this case, the Niue Treaty. This initiative recieved my full support," Lusibaea commented.

Fisheries Permanent Secretary Dr Christian Ramofafia said the letters will soon be sent to the proper agents.

The government is looking to hold a bilateral discussion on the matter with China to resolve the issue outside of the WCPFC process, he added.

By Natalia Real
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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