Chinese vessel accused in illegal fishery seized in north Pacific Ocean

COMOX, B.C. – A Chinese-registered vessel accused in an illegal fishery in the north Pacific Ocean has been seized as part of an international operation that included Canadian military and fisheries’ personnel.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada says Chinese authorities captured the vessel in an area of the ocean where salmon fishing is banned, and that up to 540 kilograms of the species was found onboard.

The department says the vessel is suspected of violating international fishing laws with its use of an illegal driftnet and is on its way back to China, where authorities are expected to conduct an investigation.

The seizure was part of a two-week Canadian-led operation.

The Fisheries Department says its members joined officials from the Canadian military, the U.S. Coast Guard, Japan and China.

A long-range surveillance aircraft from a military base on Vancouver Island was involved in the seizure.