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Munson orders arrest of intercepted fishing vessel
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Posted on Mar 14 2006
The federal court yesterday ordered the arrest of a foreign fishing vessel that was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in the CNMI waters.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson directed the U.S. Marshal to arrest the FF/V Chuan Fa Sheng No. 128, a 100-foot Taiwanese “long-line” fishing vessel.
Munson also commanded the U.S. Marshal to arrest the boat’s engines, machinery, tackle and appurtenances.
The judge issued the order after the U.S. government, through assistant U.S. attorney Mikel W. Schwab, filed a complaint for forfeiture of the vessel.
Schwab stated in the complaint that FF/V Chuna Fa Sheng is a “long-line” fishing vessel of Chinese-Taiwan Registry Hull no. CT4-2528 being captained by Hsu Mu-jung and Chen Gwo Vian.
Schwab said the boat was fishing at a position approximately latitude 22 degrees; longitude 144 degrees; 33.6 East, which is within the exclusive economic zone contiguous to the territorial sea of the U.S.
The vessel, the prosecutor said, was fishing within the EEZ without a valid, applicable permit issued by the U.S.
He said the boat, including its fishing gear, furniture, appurtenances, cargo and catch of fish, was seized by agents of the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday within the EEZ.
The boat was transported to Saipan.
“The defendant vessel, including its fishing gear, furniture, appurtenances, stores, cargo, and catch of fish is subject to forfeiture to the United States,” Schwab added.
