Coast guard arrests Chinese fishing boat captain

Crime Feb. 03, 2013 - 03:00PM JST ( 21 )

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21 Comments

13

Graham DeShazoFeb. 03, 2013 - 07:37AM JST

Jail the captain, detain the crew for investigation for a reasonable period of time (maybe 60 days?), sink the boat. Then the message may start to get across. Violating Japanese waters to poach is not in one's best economic interests.
9

YubaruFeb. 03, 2013 - 08:48AM JST

This time it was around Miyako island, not the Senkaku's and seeing as how this territory is not in dispute and IS Japanese the Coast Guard was well within their rights to arrest and detain the captain. I would imagine the Chinese would rightfully do the same if a Japanese ship was fishing in their waters, and well they should too.
9

FarmboyFeb. 03, 2013 - 10:05AM JST

And then there's the coral he says he's hunting. I assume he's talking about live coral:

http://www.endangeredspeciesinternational.org/coralreef_gallery.html
16

knowitallFeb. 03, 2013 - 10:12AM JST

If this Chinese boat was just passing through the EEZ without entering territorial waters (generally 12 nautical miles from shore), and not fishing, there would be no problem.

Also note that "Miyako is located about 210 kilometers off the biggest Senkaku isle" is irrelevant to this story as Miyako (population 50,000) is not disputed. The Chinese can't play the "but it is ours and we can do what we want there" card this time.
-16

AthletesFeb. 03, 2013 - 10:48AM JST

Knowitall!

It is more correct to say that that boat captain has been arrested in disputed territorial water. Whatever Japan is claiming as owner, it is far away from Okinawa. The main Island of Senkaku has ten minutes flying distance from PRC coast. Geographically Japan is weak for arguing it is their territorial water. Once again it is still disputed territory including Taiwan.

Japan want to catch fish world wide. However they can not tolerate others fishing in disputed territory. It is an imperialist mentality.
5

tokyo-starFeb. 03, 2013 - 10:53AM JST

+1 knowitall
11

FarmboyFeb. 03, 2013 - 11:44AM JST

Miyako Island is Japanese. The waters around it are Japanese. Coral fishing is not fishing per se, since coral are not fish, but the boat was breaking the law in any case. The reason the boat is looking for coral there is that a lot of the coral closer to the captain's home is now destroyed, so he would like to destroy some more a bit away from his home.
-7

cracaphatFeb. 03, 2013 - 11:54AM JST

Will be released without charges no doubt like before.
7

ChamkunFeb. 03, 2013 - 12:30PM JST

In 2010, when the Chinese boat hit a coast gourd ship, Japan released him and sent wrong message to China. Then other issues China brought into Japan. Japan needs to show how Abe administration handles this case.
-6

Tony EwFeb. 03, 2013 - 12:56PM JST

Stupid Chinese boat captain. Going that far into the EEZ is a surely a bad move. Hopefully what Japan do next is to treat this case leniently and let the Chinese go home with their trawler minus the corals and not paying a fine. This will be a great opportunity for Japan to show the world she is at least a friendly neighbor to China and hope China will reciprocate.
7

omicronFeb. 03, 2013 - 01:40PM JST

These dumb Chinese fishermen are to blame for the disputes between China and other countries. Their stupidity has caused so much damage to relations of countries and to the world economy.
1

MorryFeb. 03, 2013 - 01:48PM JST

It's only a matter of time before a real war breaks out.
2

gogogoFeb. 03, 2013 - 05:12PM JST

Agreed, the message is not getting across, sink or destroy any boat caught.
2

AustPaulFeb. 03, 2013 - 05:38PM JST

Charge the captain, seize the boat and use it for gunnery practice!
1

CrazedinjapanFeb. 03, 2013 - 06:41PM JST

Take his boat ...make them clean it ...sink it there while they watch and allow it to become a new addition to the coral reef.

Just a matter of time before shells start flying at each other. Have the USA patrol the area see if china wants to kick at a hornets nest of hostile action.
4

House AtreidesFeb. 03, 2013 - 07:13PM JST

It is more correct to say that that boat captain has been arrested in disputed territorial water. Whatever Japan is claiming as owner, it is far away from Okinawa.

The waters 45 km northeast of Miyako island and 200 km away from the Senkaku islands are not disputed and well within the EEZ of Japan. Look at a map of the area.

A coastal nation has control of all economic resources within its exclusive economic zone, including fishing, mining, oil exploration, and any pollution of those resources. However, it cannot prohibit passage or loitering above, on, or under the surface of the sea that is in compliance with the laws and regulations adopted by the coastal State in accordance with the provisions of the UN Convention, within that portion of its exclusive economic zone beyond its territorial sea.
-1

frank07Feb. 03, 2013 - 07:22PM JST

I think stable relations are best, but unfortunately China's obstinance forces Japan to respond likewise.
1

highball7Feb. 03, 2013 - 07:38PM JST

Its a civil case. Fine them, confiscate all fishery products and release them is the right move. Its actually the only move without violating a whole bunch of statutes. If endangered species are involved, then jail time or imposing even heftier fines would be appropriate. I don't see the latter here. So Japan did the right thing.

Human are emotional creatures. Sure, sinking the boat would feel real good. But you have to look at what the law says. Just because the Chinese boat captain is a law-breaker, doesn't mean Japan should drop down to his level and act emotionally.
0

AustPaulFeb. 03, 2013 - 10:21PM JST

Not sure what the legislation in Japan is but if the boat was used in the commission of a (fisheries) offence then I am sure it could be seized and later disposed (auctioned/destroyed) of. As far as sinking it, yes it looks and feels good but also sends a message.

Not sure if this incident is a 'civil' matter either....
-2

lachanceFeb. 04, 2013 - 03:31AM JST

@ Tony Ew:

Who are you kidding? China is ready to cave in, because it can no longer feed itself. China’s grain imports hit a record high in January this year, as you may know. You may be exporting some foodstuffs, mostly garbage, but you're totally dependent on the USA for your food supply.

Customs data from Beijing itself reveal that grain imports reached 1.64m tonnes in March, 2012, up sixfold from a year earlier and up 50 per cent from the previous month. In January, 2013, grain imports had reached astronomical levels of 3.87m tonnes.

China has to feed a fifth of the world’s population with only 8 per cent of the world’s arable land, and does not grow genetically modified grains. (You're right, no Monsanto here, only poisoned food). As rising incomes and more meat-heavy diets boost grain demand, China’s reliance on imports had slowly increased but is now reaching unsustainable levels.

China accounts for about 20 per cent of the world’s corn consumption and only four per cent of global corn trade, but its sudden increase in corn buying has greatly tightened the global market. China’s corn imports in January and February this year totaled 3.26m tonnes, four hundred times more (not four times more, or 400%, but four hundred times more, meaning 40,000%) than the same period last year.

China cannot feed itself. We ensure the seas are open to feed China, whether the food is from the US or from Brazil or from the South China Sea. Go to war with Japan over the sovereignty of the Senkakus, and no ship will sail across the Pacific or across the China Seas with food for your 1.4 billion people. All the illusory strength of your so-called PLA war machines will be traded for a sack of grain. So say we all!
-4

Tony EwFeb. 05, 2013 - 04:50AM JST

@lachance

Funny guy posting as Wulfe N. Straat in http://www.globaltimes.cn You are off topic and I had already answered you there. These guys are in Japan area for the corals for jewelry, not food! Stay on topic and stop wasting readers time and energy! Please don't embarrass yourself again!

"The captain told the officers that his boat was hunting coral in the area, public broadcaster NHK reported.

There has been a growing demand for coral jewelry in China, it added."