Chinese fishing boat seized near Penghu for illegal operations: CGA

Taipei, Sept. 6 (CNA) Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) seized a nameless Chinese fishing boat after it crossed into restricted waters off outlying Penghu County, refused inspection and tried to flee, the agency said Saturday.

The vessel was detected Friday about 26 nautical miles northwest of Xiaomen, inside Taiwan's restricted zone, the CGA's Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch said in a press release. A patrol boat was dispatched and found the Chinese vessel had its name painted over.

When ordered to halt, the boat accelerated in an attempt to escape, according to the CGA. Officers pursued, issued radio warnings, and eventually boarded the vessel with reinforcements before escorting it to Magong Harbor.

The boat carried 15 crew members, including a captain surnamed Zhuang (莊), the CGA said, adding that about 1 metric ton of fish was dumped overboard during the chase.

The case is being investigated under the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the branch said.

The CGA noted that patrols have been stepped up since the end of China's summer fishing moratorium, which has brought more Chinese vessels into the area.