Manila, Philippines- Vietnam is again under pressure to explain what measures it will put in place to stop the small blue boats poaching the reef resources of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and New Caledonia representatives at the 14th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) here reiterated that the Vietnamese blue boats are unwelcome in the region. Photo by Richard W. Brooks “We have a sayin

Manila, Philippines- Illegal fishing by boats from Vietnam continues to be a problem in the Pacific, with New Caledonia and Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) raising the issue anew at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Vietnamese Blue Boats were also spotted in Palau waters in the past years. Photo by Richard W. Brooks New Caledonia’s representative Manuel Ducrocq warned the WCPFC that the blue boats are back in the region. “Despite the statemen

Nadi, Fiji -Vietnam is offering to set up a hotline to tackle Vietnamese “blue boats” but affected small island nations said the offer is still a sign that illegal fishing will remain unchecked. Since 2015, Palau has burned five blue boats caught illegally fishing within its waters. Photo by Richard W. Brooks Eugene Pangelinan, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) said that it’s unacceptable that the only response for Vietnam to address the “big problem” of blue boats and Ill

Nadi, Fiji- The Western and Central Pacific and Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has been urged to address the growing influx of Vietnamese “blue boats” illegally fishing in many island nations, affecting local fishermen and their livelihood. Blue boats from Vietnam are traditional wooden vessels that are all powered by small diesel or gasoline engines. May 2016: One of Palau's near shore Marine Enforcement boats escorts an illegal Vietname

Palau destroyed another Vietnamese fishing boat caught poaching in its waters, with the island nation warning that it is imposing a zero tolerance policy against illegal fishing. On May 25, the blue boat seized last month was set on fire miles of the coast of Palau, sending an even stronger message that it is serious against its fight to combat illegal fishing. “As I’ve said in the past, we will not tolerate poachers in Palau,” said President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. “Now th

Apparently, the message was not clear enough, so Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. wants to make it clearer. At today’s press press conference, Remengasau announced that the Vietnamese boats apprehended last month will be burned. Remengesau said the plan to dispose of the boats is to either give one to the community or burn the rest. On April 16, Palau law enforcement captured two Vietnamese “blue boats” suspected of illegally fishing in Palau waters. Two more Vietnamese