Palau files charges against boat captains

KOROR – Palau has filed charges against the captains of several fishing vessels from Vietnam that were caught early this month while allegedly engaged in illegal fishing activities in Palau’s waters.

Two counts for unlawful entry into the republic were filed against Vo Thanh Sang and Tran Nam at the Palau Supreme Court by the Attorney General.

Conviction for unlawful entry carries a prison term of not more than two years, fine of not more than $500, or both.

On May 7, 2015, three fishing vessels were detained in the territorial waters of the Republic inside Kossol Reef north of Ngarchelong State.

The three ships were boarded and the two named defendants were subsequently identified as the captains of two of the boats.

The three ships carried a crew of 39.

The defendants were interviewed with the aid of an interpreter and they admitted that they were citizens of Vietnam and did not have authorization to be in Palau.

The defendants were detained and their vessels seized for further enforcement action.

During first appearance hearing on May 20, 2015 Sang and Nam pled “not guilty” to all the charges against them.

There is still no word if charges will be brought against the other members of the crew.