The Fisheries Agency reported that its patrol vessels spotted the boat on Thursday, approximately 165 kilometers southwest of Meshima Island in Goto City. The agency stated that officials seized the boat after it ignored instructions to halt for inspection. The 47-year-old Chinese captain was arrested on suspicion of violating laws regarding sovereign rights over fishing operations.
The agency noted that the boat was capable of catching large quantities of fish, including mackerel and horse mackerel, and had 11 people on board, including the captain. Authorities suspect the vessel may have entered Japan’s EEZ to engage in illegal fishing activities.
They have not disclosed whether the captain has admitted to the allegations, as this could affect the ongoing investigation. This incident marks the first seizure of a foreign vessel by the agency in 2026 and the first capture of a Chinese fishing boat since 2022.
