(Central News Agency reporter Pan Xintong, Lianjiang, 26th) Matsu Coast Patrol Captain Hong Wenquan told the Central News Agency reporter today that two unidentified people were found on the offshore uninhabited islands and reefs near Gaodeng within the prohibited waters yesterday and were brought back to Nangan Township, Lianjiang County. , currently under investigation.
A fisherman from Beigan Township said that cross-border fishing “happens almost every day” and that Chinese fishermen’s “footprints” are not only on Gaodeng, Liangdao and surrounding uninhabited islands and reefs. Suspicious Chinese fish are often seen at night on Turtle Island next to Qinbi Village. Fishermen went to bury octopus traps, and even invaded every door and climbed directly to Dawo Mountain in Beigan to collect conches.
Zhan Tingyu, a representative of the Beigan villagers of the Democratic Progressive Party, said that he has repeatedly received complaints from people in Beigan about cross-border fishing problems, including Chinese fishermen climbing up Beigan to collect snails and shellfish. The problem is that China cannot effectively manage fishermen and they are allowed to go out to sea and enter Taiwan. Regulated or prohibited waters. If China can use its iron fist, similar problems can be greatly reduced.
Zhan Tingyu said that he hopes to improve the coast patrol’s law enforcement capabilities and stop them early, and he will express it to the central government. Hong Wenquan said that the coast patrol will actively handle relevant reports after receiving them, and has stepped up patrols in the waters around Beigan.
In addition, fishermen said that the catches caught by Chinese fishermen using octopus pots are mostly small fish and fry that have not yet grown up, which will damage the Matsu ecology in the long run. Matsu fishermen have set nets in the sea near Qiaozi Village, and occasionally they are cut by Chinese fishermen. , each fixed net sold for more than NT$100,000, causing losses to fishermen.
Lianjiang County residents who have long been concerned about terns said that among the uninhabited islands and reefs in Beigan, Sanlian Island, Zhongdao, Tiejian Island and Baimiao are designated as tern protected areas, and landing on the islands is prohibited from April to September every year during the breeding season. , but in recent years, Chinese fishermen have landed on the island without permission, which may scare away the “mythical bird” Black-billed Crested Terns that are preparing to breed, causing them to stop breeding here the next year. This is a hidden concern for ecological conservation.
The Lianjiang County Industrial Development Office said that if it is confirmed that Chinese fishermen have illegally landed on the island, they will ask the Marine Commission Coast Guard to assist in evicting them. During the non-breeding period from October to March of the following year, Taiwanese fishermen can go to the island to collect snails without applying, but they must not violate relevant controls under the Wildlife Conservation Act. (Editor: Li Mingzong) 1130426
