Taipei: Taiwanese fishing vessels face sanctions if their gear drifts 124 degrees three minutes east longitude eastward while operating in waters north of Japan's Yaeyama Islands, according to the latest agreement between Taipei and Tokyo.
According to Focus Taiwan, in a press release issued on Friday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that during bilateral talks held in Tokyo earlier this week, both sides agreed to implement measures to prevent the gear of Taiwanese fishing vessels from drifting 124 degrees three minutes east longitude eastward when operating in waters north of the Yaeyama Islands. This agreement forms part of ongoing efforts to address fishing rights in overlapping exclusive economic zones.
Fishing vessels reported to have violated the rule after prior warnings from authorities could face administrative sanctions, MOFA stated in the press release. However, the specific nature of these sanctions has not been disclosed.
Taipei and Tokyo have designated 124 degrees east longitude within the inverted triangle zone north of the Yaeyama Islands as a demarcation line. This is under the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement signed in 2013, which aims to address fishing rights in overlapping exclusive economic zones.
According to Friday's statement, Taiwan's Fishery Agency (FA) will collaborate with fisheries associations to develop a self-regulatory mechanism that prevents fishing gear from drifting 124 degrees two minutes east longitude eastward. This initiative seeks to ensure compliance with the new agreement and preserve the marine environment.
MOFA further noted that the Taiwanese delegation, during the three-day talks from January 14 to Thursday, also advocated for discussions on operational issues in other overlapping economic maritime areas. This demonstrates Taiwan's proactive approach to managing and negotiating fishing rights and responsibilities in the region.
The Taiwanese delegation was led by Fan Chen-kuo, secretary-general of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, and included officials from MOFA, the FA, and the Coast Guard Administration, as well as representatives from local fisheries associations, the statement concluded.
