Premier Jiang Yi-huah was briefed at the Cabinet meeting today by the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on the bolstering of its patrols of ROC waters to protect fishermen and safeguard national sovereignty and fishery rights.
"Taiwan is surrounded by seas, and marine affairs are extensive and complicated," pointed out the premier.
"The cases of the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman on the Guang Da Xing No. 28 in May by the Philippine coast guard and the suspected killings of the Taiwanese skipper and chief engineer of the Te Hung Hsing No. 368 in July are being appropriately resolved thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CGA, Ministry of Justice and Council of Agriculture (COA), exhibiting the nation's consolidated strength."
Jiang asked relevant ministries to award or commend the staff involved in handling these affairs and continue exemplifying solidarity by closely coordinating with each other to ensure the safety of fishermen.
One of the reasons for the deaths on the Te Hung Hsing No. 368 may have been the lack of proper management of fishing laborers hired overseas, the premier said. These crewmen were often hired at the ship owner's own discretion, received low pay, boarded and disembarked the ship freely, and varied greatly in ability, making the vessel susceptible to disputes and accidents. Jiang asked the COA to work with local fishery associations to formulate a sound management system and long-term strategy for Taiwanese boats and to overhaul the Fisheries Act if necessary.
The government has repeatedly emphasized that it will protect Taiwanese fishing vessels that legally go out to sea, the premier said. He asked the CGA to continue enforcing this policy, protecting Taiwanese fishermen's safety and augmenting patrols to safeguard their rights.