Friday, February 29, 2008 RP fishing vessel seized in Palau By Aurea Gerundio-Dizon Of Island Times, Palau
REPUBLIC OF PALAU -- A large fishing vessel based in General Santos City, Philippines was intercepted by Palau's Marine Law Enforcement patrol vessel PSS H.I. Remeliik on February 21 for suspected illegal fishing within the islands' exclusive economic zone.
The Philippine Embassy said the fishing vessel, identified as Pescarico, is owned by Phillip Yap of Global 168 Maritime Industries. The vessel was caught with about 50 tons of fish, mostly tuna.
Philippine Embassy Vice Consul J. Anthony Reyes said the vessel is part of a fishing fleet licensed to do fishing in Indonesia.
Reyes said that in Indonesia, the fishing vessel's name is KM Bina Samudra and the holding company is PT. Bina Sejahtera Indah.
Reyes said the Pescarico was on its way back to General Santos City from a fishing activity in Indonesia when it was intercepted by PSS H.I. Remeliik.
He said that Pescarico rendezvoused with another vessel two hours before it was intercepted to refuel.
The seized fishing vessel has 10 crewmembers, including five Filipinos and five Indonesians.
The five Filipinos were identified as Dandy Baguio, Angelito Canteros, Conrado Delgado Jr., Jovencio Estrada, and Josimer Ubarco while the Indonesians were Rondang Mosy, Jhony Kakase, Francisco Kundiman, Amos Anos, and Celson Sarapil.
Reyes said the crewmembers are confined in the vessel while Palau authorities conduct an investigation. The investigation is intended to determine if there have been any criminal or civil violations of Palau's immigration, fishing, and marine protection laws.
Meanwhile, Reyes said a lawyer for the arrested crew will be coming to Palau.
Reyes said Pescarico docked in Koror on February 25 and a fish sale was opened to the public on the following day.
A press release from the Office of the Vice President and Minister of Justice said Marine Law officials began conducting a sale of fish aboard the vessel on Tuesday to avoid the risk of fish spoiling.
The fish were weighed, identified, and recorded in order to fully and transparently report the nature of the catch to the court.
All proceeds from the sale will be given to the trial division of the Palau Supreme Court while it is being determined as to who is the legal owner of the funds.
