Squid boat incident angers fishermen

Press, 11 April 1977, Page 4

Squid boat incident angers fishermen

PA

New Plymouth

Confusion surrounds an incident off Taranaki last Friday night when the fisheries protection vessel Hawea found two Japanese squid boats inside territorial waters but allowed them to go free after escorting them to the 12-mile limit.

The “let-out" for the Jap ane.*e apparently exists in an agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Government. This rather obscure pact, which has angered local fishermen, allows the Japanese to impose their own punishment on a vessel's return to Japan Taranaki fishermen last evening expressed concern that double standards were being enforced by the Government, as the Taiwanese squid boat Kin Nan suffered a much different fate when caught inside territorial waters a year ago. Heavy fines were imposed on the master at that time and the owners were forced to pay a considerable sum before the impounded vessel was released. Sixne Taranaki fishermen called for similar action to be taken against the Japanese. They thought it most unfair that apparent preferential treatment was being accorded to a country “recognised” bv New Zealand. The latest incident happened when the Hawea sur pri>ed two boats, the Senku Maru and the Kinsho Maru. well inside the 12-mile limit.

Only >me of the boats was fishing but it is believed, that the Hawea ordered both’ to move out of territorial’ waters. It is not known what other exchanges took place. • The Royal New Zealand Navy public relations officer: (Commander G. J. Power)’ said that any official comment would have to comei from the Ministry of Agricul-; ture and Fisheries as the: patrol had been undertaken on its behalf. The Ministry’s rep.tsentative aboard the Hawea at, the time. Mr H. R. Thatcher.; said that he was not in a position to comment. Th incident was being handled at Government level and it’ would be most improper for 1 him to comment. The Chief Fisheries Officer for the Ministry (?' R. D. Lundy) said that he could not comment until he had seen a written report on the incident from LieutenantCommander Jackson, the Hawea's master. Taranaki fishermen are upset at what they see as a clear breach of the New Zealand fishing regulations. The secretary of the Com-, mercial Fishermen’s Asso-i elation (Mr N. Watts) said!

it was only fair that other fishermen and the nublic knew what action, if any,; would be taken against the: Japanese boat caught fishing! ’inside the limit. “The outcome of this inci-j dent should be made public! and the extent of fines and; penalties made known,” he j . said. i He was aware that some agreement existed with the! Japanese Government overt violations of fishing regula-i tions. Although the | Japanese had undertaken *oi ’handle the punishment of ’ skippers and boats them , selves, he doubted the | effectiveness of a system! !where justice could not be! I seen to be done “Even if this skipper was' ordered to return home, there is no guarantee that he will do so.” Mr Watts said. “They are getting close to • the end of the season anyway and some of the skippers are getting quite cheeky. A lot more of the •boats must be close to full up so being forced to return; to Japan would be no great' hardship.” Mr Watts said that there i had been much infringing in iN'ew Zealand waters lately ibv foreign vessels.