Source: Solomon Star
The two apprehended vessels at the maritime base
The Royal Solomon Islands police force maritime unit patrol boat Auki have intercepted and apprehended two foreign fishing vessels suspected of carrying out illegal fishing activities in the territorial waters of Solomon Islands.
The RSIPF in collaboration with the national fisheries department have been monitoring two the foreign long-line fishing vessels (FFVs) which have violated their fishing licenses in Solomon Island waters for more than a week.
The vessels were easily located and monitored by the RSIPF Maritime Unit through a vessel monitoring system (VMS) which is linked with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) regional monitoring system.
Patrol boat Auki of the RSIPF Maritime unit was tasked to intercept and apprehend the two foreign fishing vessels.
On Thursday, patrol boat Auki intercepted the two vessels while allegedly carrying out illegal fishing activities in the northern portion of the Solomon Islands exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The two vessels were apprehended and escorted back to the Police Maritime Base in Honiara.
The apprehended vessels have been identified to be registered under the same foreign fishing company which owned two similar foreign long-line vessels that were intercepted and seized by police in February last year.
The vessels are currently berthed at the police maritime base where they are currently being held under police custody pending further investigation and advice from the fisheries department.
