Ruling on Vietnamese fishermen on Friday

 By TAUNA GEORGE 
SIXTEEN Vietnamese fishermen apprehended in Milne Bay for illegal fishing are expected to be sentenced on Friday after appearing briefly at the Alotau District Court yesterday.
Provincial police commander Joseph Morehari said the captain of the fishing boat and his 15 crew members were all found guilty of illegally harvesting beche-der-mer.
Harvesting of beche-der-mer has been banned in this country for the past few years in the hope that stocks are replenished.
Morehari said the captain was slapped with four charges by the National Fisheries Authority for fishing in PNG waters without an applicable licence, engaging in harvesting beche-der-mer during closed season, having in possession of beche-der-mer products and engaging crew in the harvest.
The crew members were charged with one count each of engaging in harvesting beche-der-mer during the ban.
Morehari said police, Customs and Immigration departments could lay further charges against the fishermen.