Fishing law enforcement ship starts off (Xinhua) Updated: 2004-07-04 09:42
China on Saturday sent a patrol ship to the north Pacific to join hands with
the United States to enforce fishing law in a bid to crack down on illegal
fishing and safeguard normal fishing activities of Chinese fishermen.
It is the longest sea patrol route for the Chinese fishing administration to
conduct law enforcement in the high seas, demonstrating China's sincerity and
determination in carrying out the decision by the United Nations on banning
illegal fishery in the high seas, said Li Jianhua, an official with the Ministry
of Agriculture.
The 1,000-ton ship starting off here will sail 3,000 sea miles in 30 days in
cooperation with US counterparts to deal with illegal fishing activities and
provide service to legal Chinese fishing ships on the north Pacific.
China has been cooperating with the United States in fishing law enforcement
since 2002. Nine illegal ships have been captured by the joint team so
far.
