B’ville monitoring illegal fishing

Source:
The National, Friday May 6th, 2016

BORDER authorities in Bougainville are monitoring an illegal fishing activity involving a foreign vessel around Feed Island.

Director ofthe Bougainville Disaster and Emergency Service Franklyn Lacey told The National that the Bougainville Disaster and Emergency Service had been working with the National Fisheries Authority, police and quarantine officials to arrest the fishermen.
Feed islanders had raised the alarm when they saw the fishermen in the area.
Lacey said fishermen were using a high-powered boat to move in and out of the area quickly, avoiding maritime authorities.
“We are suspecting that the fishermen are using radar. So, when we are making our way to go closer to them, they move out of the scene very quickly,” he said.
He said they were using a 60HP-engine boat and could not catch the fishermen. Lacey said the fishermen were taking advantage of the moratorium on sea cucumbers to conduct their activities.