Focus Taiwan
2016/05/18 17:06:23
By: Kuo Chu-chen and Elizabeth Hsu
Taipei, May 18 (CNA) The skipper of a fishing boat from Pingtung County, which returned 
recently from waters close to the Japanese- held atoll of Okinotori in the Pacific Ocean, expressed hope Wednesday that the government will protect Taiwanese fishing boats’ rights to fish on the high seas.
Hung Kun-yung (洪崑勇) of the Chin Ching Fa fishing vessel, registered in Liuqiu Township of Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, also said that the government should firmly uphold its decision to protect Taiwanese fishing boats wherever they are, and send more patrol ships to the high seas where Taiwanese fishing boats are operating, to protect them.
Hung’s boat returned to Pingtung May 16 after concluding fishing operations in a disputed sea area close to the Okinotori atoll.
On April 25, the Tung Sheng Chi No. 16, also from Liuqiu, was seized by the Japanese coast guard while operating in waters some 150 nautical miles from the atoll. The boat captain was strip-searched. [FULL STORY]
