16 Dec 2020
Authorities in Palau said on Monday they recently detained a Chinese fishing vessel and its 28 crew members for illegally fishing in the tiny Pacific nation’s waters.
The Chinese fishing boat was allegedly harvesting sea cucumbers illegally when it was “intercepted by a patrol boat at Helen Reef, in Palau’s territorial waters, and escorted to the main island of Koror,” Palau’s Division of Marine Law and Enforcement (DMLE) said.
“They did have sea cucumber on there … it’s estimated about 500 pounds (225 kilograms),” DMLE director Victor Remengesau told reporters on Monday, according to Agence France-Presse.
Known in the international market as beche-de-mer, sea cucumber is highly coveted among fishing crews across the Pacific Ocean. The marine species may be sold for up to $800 per kilogram in select Asian markets such as Hong Kong.
Chinese vessel with 28 crew detained in Palau. Supplied
Photo: Supplied
Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr told reporters on Wednesday that the government would also get into contact with the Chinese government regarding possible breaches of Palau s laws.
As one of several nations in the Pacific Islands region to have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Palau doesn t have formal ties with China.
The president said a preliminary investigation revealed an alleged attempt by the Chinese crew to bribe the Helen Reef rangers who first spotted them in the nation s territorial waters.
Remengesau said that the contents inside the vessels were being checked. The people checking the vessel will be wearing Personal; Protective Equipment suits provided by Palau s hospital and marine officials.
Tiny Pacific nation of Palau detains illegal Chinese fishing vessel Bernadette Carreon in Koror
A Chinese fishing vessel and its 28 crew have been detained in Palau, authorities said, creating a delicate diplomatic situation for the tiny Pacific nation, which is allied with Beijing’s rival Taiwan.
The boat, alleged to have been illegally harvesting sea cucumber, was intercepted by a patrol boat at Helen Reef, in Palau’s territorial waters, and escorted to the main island of Koror.
“They did have sea cucumber on there . it’s estimated about 500 pounds (225kg),” said Victor Remengesau, director of Palau’s division of marine law and enforcement.
Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. has earned plaudits at home and abroad. Known for his world-renowned environmental initiatives, including the famed Palau National Marine Sanctuary, the outgoing leader also passed one tough leadership test this year- keeping the nation COVID- free.
President Remengesau retires from politics in January 2021. This is Remengesau’s last rodeo, having served the tiny nation as a public official for over 20 years and a respected and seasoned statesman in the Pacific.
Remengesau is leaving the world of politics, and as for his legacy; he says he wants to be remembered as the leader who maintained a ‘Pristine Paradise Palau’.
Palau authorities detain illegal PRC fishing boat, crew
The Guardian, KOROR, PALAU
A Chinese fishing vessel and its 28 crew have been detained in Palau, authorities said, creating a delicate diplomatic situation for the Pacific island nation, which is allied with Taiwan.
The boat, alleged to have been illegally harvesting sea cucumber, was intercepted by a patrol boat at Helen Reef, in Palau’s territorial waters, and escorted to the main island of Koror.
“They did have sea cucumber on there . it’s estimated about 500 pounds [227kg],” Palauan Bureau of Maritime Security and Fish and Wildlife Director Victor Remengesau said.
Sea cucumber known on international markets as beche-de-mer is a lucrative harvest for fishing crews across the Pacific. A Samoan court heard this year the animals fetch up to US$800 per kilogram in Asian markets, citing a Pacific Community report.