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The two fishing vessels berthed briefly in the northern town of Luganville, a few hundred metres from a Chinese-funded wharf that has been the subject of widespread rumours it could serve as a Chinese military base.
The ships were then instructed to sail for Port Vila, where they have been berthed at an unused wharf in the capital.
“The crew on the fishing vessels will be subject to further investigation after undergoing quarantine,” Vanuatu police said in a statement.
A satellite image showing the location - indicated by red pins - where two Chinese vessels, suspected of illegal fishing, were detained by Vanuatu authorities. Photograph: Vanuatu Police
The crew of a Chinese vessel who have been detained in Palau since 12 December will be released without charge, Palau s attorney general said on Wednesday.
The vessel and its 28 crew were https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/433079/palau-investigates-detained-chinese-fishing-vessel-and-crew spotted by a patrol boat at Helen s Reef], in Palau s territorial waters, harvesting sea cucumber earlier this month.
Chinese vessel with 28 crew detained in Palau. Supplied
Photo: Supplied
The chief of staff at the Ministry of Justice, Earnest Ongidobel, said the vessel would be stripped of all its small boats, engines, and fishing equipment and ordered to leave the country. They will be given just enough fuel and food supplies for a one way trip home, Ongidobel said, adding that the vessel would be escorted out of Palau waters by a patrol boat.
US Coast Guard, Palau detain 80-foot vessel accused of IUU fishing
By
Dec. 23, 2020 15:50 GMT
The US Coast Guard (USCG) and the Republic of Palau recently worked together to detain a vessel suspected of fishing illegally in the waters of the Pacific island nation, US defense officials said [.]
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The United States Embassy in Palau commended last week the action the nation has taken against the Chinese fishing vessel and its crew members for alleged unlawful entry and other possible breaches of the laws.
In a Statement from US Embassy Koror Ambassador John Hennessey-Niland last Friday, he said, America, steadfastly support Palau s efforts to protect its territorial sovereignty and prevent People s Republic of China (PRC)-flagged vessels from engaging in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,
The US has accused China of having a record IUU fishing, rule breaking and willful environmental degradation.
Chinese vessel with 28 crew detained in Palau. Supplied