Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Illegal Fishing by VanFish Company
October 28, 2024 9:56 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Doddy Morris.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries, and Biosecurity, Xavier Emanuel Harry, issued a directive on Monday, October 28, 2024, to investigate alleged illegal fishing activities involving the VanFish Fishing Company.
This follows reports on social media suggesting that VanFish’s blue boats have been operating within Vanuatu’s territorial waters, specifically spotted around 5 miles from Pango Point.
The Minister’s letter to Mr. William Naviti, Director of the Fisheries Department, outlined urgent actions in response to these allegations. Concerns have been raised that a larger VanFish vessel, licensed only for tuna longline fishing beyond the 12-nautical-mile mark, may be functioning as a carrier for the smaller blue boats suspected of fishing unlawfully within the restricted zone.
To address these concerns, Minister Harry has ordered a series of actions aimed at thoroughly investigating and controlling VanFish’s fishing activities.
He has directed an immediate and thorough investigation into the suspected illegal operations of VanFish’s blue boats. Additionally, the Fisheries Department is required to verify the fish catch data, examining both the volume and species involved.
It is also stated that should the allegations be confirmed, the Minister mandates that a penalty notice be issued to VanFish without delay. Furthermore, a strong warning will be given to VanFish, indicating that any future illegal activities may result in legal action and the potential cancellation of their fishing licences.
To enforce compliance and enhance monitoring, Minister Harry has also ordered that tracking devices be installed on all VanFish vessels, both large and small.
The Minister emphasised his concerns over the impact of these allegations on the integrity of his office and has called for a comprehensive report detailing the investigation findings. The report will outline measures implemented by the Fisheries Department to ensure VanFish’s adherence to Vanuatu’s regulations on fishing activities.
