Taiwanese Fishing Boat Detained by Japan, Released After Paying 630,000 NT

The Taiwanese fishing vessel "Hongcaitou No. 6" from Su'ao was suspected of operating in Japan's economic waters near Yonaguni Island on the 20th and was seized by Japan's Fisheries Agency. The captain, Liu Mingqing, and five crew members were arrested, marking the first Taiwanese fishing boat detained this year for illegal operations. The Coast Guard Administration handled the case via diplomatic channels, and the owner paid a guarantee of 630,000 NT dollars, allowing the vessel to return to Taiwan around 1 PM.
According to information released by the Fisheries Agency, the enforcement vessel "Fengxiang No. 1" discovered the "Hongcaitou No. 6" operating without permission from Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at a point 15.6 nautical miles from the western lighthouse of Yonaguni. This action allegedly violated Article 17, Paragraph 2 and Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the law regarding the exercise of fishing rights in exclusive economic zones. The boat is a multi-purpose vessel for both longline and trolling fishing, with a total tonnage of 19.90 tons, and is registered in Su'ao, Taiwan.
The Su'ao Fisheries Association expressed regret over the captain's arrest, noting that the vessel's owner did not report the incident to them nor sought formal assistance, but they were proactively gathering information and providing necessary support. The Coast Guard noted that the incident occurred outside Taiwan's protective fishing range.