Taiwan has sent two representatives from the Fisheries Agency to Singapore to investigate an incident in which Indonesian patrol vessels fired on two Taiwanese fishing boats.
The shooting took place in the Strait of Malacca on Monday. No one was injured. The Taiwanese vessels have arrived in Singapore two days after the incident. More than 10 bullet holes have been found on the vessel “Sheng Te Tsai”.
Indonesian authorities accuse the Taiwanese boats of fishing illegally in Indonesia’s economic waters. However, Taiwan’s government does not believe the boats were engaged in any illegal activities, citing video footage. International regulations prohibit firing on fishing vessels, even if they are engaged in illegal fishing.
The “Sheng Te Tsai” will leave Singapore and continue fishing, while the other boat, the “Lien I Hsing No. 116”, will return to Taiwan ahead of schedule because family members of the skipper are concerned about his safety.
The Liuchiu Fishermen’s Association says the owner of the “Sheng Te Tsai” has requested that Indonesian authorities apologize, pay compensation for damage, and punish those who fired the shots.