Big fish in Coast Guard net

The F V Ming Tay No 76, with a Taiwan flag, was apprehended North West of Suheli Par in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Lakshadweep coast by Coast Guard Ship Varuna after a chase at around 6.30 pm on Tuesday. Apart from 28 international crew members from four countries, there were 53 tonnes of rare yellowfin tuna in the ship’s refrigerated holds.

“The crew members were trying to dismantle the fishing nets to prevent detection,” Paleri said.

Measuring about 50 meters long, the fishing vessel had a compliment of two Japanese, 17 Chinese, eight Philipinos and a Taiwanese. She was fitted with a state-of-the-art communication system, advanced navigational aids and fishing equipment with satellite imagery, confirmed Chief Staff Officer A K Verma.

Biology experts at the Bombay Natural History Society pointed out that the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacora marcopterus) species is found in Pacific and swim towards the Indian Ocean. Small shoals usually migrate in the northernly direction across the Maldives and Lakshadweep Archipelago.

Yellowfin tuna are economically important because of their size and food value. Some of the fish measure around nine feet long and weigh more than 400 pounds.

Fishing companies based in South-East Asia, particularly Japan and Taiwan, have been tracking the tuna movement with satellite systems and try to poach them before they migrate into Indian EEZ zone, a Coast Guard official pointed out.

Apart from the poaching charges, authorities are also looking into the security breach. The crew will be interrogated by Central intelligence agencies, including naval intelligence, to ascertain whether they had any other design.

Meanwhile, CGS Varuna is escorting the Taiwanese vessel into the Kochi harbour by Thursday evening. Intelligence officials have already been despatched to take charge of the accused.