Taiwan and Japan negotiate fishing rights in the waters south of Bazhong Mountain and Okinoshi Island? AFD: operational but co-ordinated

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The Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Committee ended last week, but KMT legislator Jiang Qichen today (11) lambasted the Tsai government for being unintentional in protecting fishing, and the Japanese side is still unwilling to negotiate with China on "the operation of the sea area south of Bachong Mountain and the sea area of Okinotori." there is even an agreement to limit the application of the sea area. In this regard, Chen Tianshou, vice chairman of the Council of Agriculture, urgently held a press conference to clarify that every year the two sides would conduct a rolling review on the details of the operation, and there was no limited reduction. "fishermen can still go in and work with peace of mind." The negotiations did not break down.

The sea area south of the Bachongshan Islands is rich in catches, especially bluefin tuna flocks here, and Taiwanese fishermen are actively striving to include the area as the scope of the agreement between the two sides. However, because the area is close to the Bachongshan Islands, which belongs to Japan, Director of Fisheries Huang Hongyan says that it is a bit difficult for Taiwanese fishing boats to enter, "just like asking your home to open up for me to catch fish." However, considering the demands of fishermen, it is proposed to the Japanese side to include the scope of the agreement every year.

Photo courtesy of / Fisheries Department

The sea area south of the Bachongshan Islands is included in the scope of the agreement? Agriculture and Fisheries Department: keep fighting

As to whether the area south of the Bachongshan Islands, which fishermen are concerned about, is included in the scope of the agreement, Chen Tianshou said that countries attach importance to the economic zone, and if the economic area overlaps, they must sit down and negotiate properly, but the Council of Agriculture will definitely fight for the maximum rights and interests of fishermen. It is true that the sea south of the Bachongshan Islands is closer to the Japanese islands, but it is not impossible to be designated as cooperative waters. "We will try our best."

Huang Hongyan points out that there are many catches in the area south of the Bachongshan Islands, and bluefin tuna often gather here, but because of their proximity to the Japanese islands, Taiwanese fishing boats are a bit forced to enter. "it's like asking your house to open up for me to catch fish." It will be discussed with the Japanese side again at the end of March, but only for the details of the operation.

Chen Tien-shou stressed that the negotiations had not broken down, and the implementation details of the agreement would be regularly reviewed every year. "in the operating waters of the Taiwan-Japan fishing agreement, fishing vessels can still feel at ease to operate." At the end of March and early April this year, the two sides will consult again to review the operation order of the agreed sea areas, and will continue to consult with Japan through communication platforms such as the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Committee meeting and the Ocean Affairs Cooperation Dialogue Conference to fight for the rights and interests of fishermen.

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