Fish seized from Vietnamese poachers given out to hospitals, charities

In this March 27, 2016, photo, Vietnamese fishermen fix nets on their boat as while docked at Tho Quang port, Danang, Vietnam, after a fishing trip in the South China Sea. AP

SUAL, Pangasinan – As much as 5,000 kilos of fish poached by three Vietnamese fishing vessels last week are being distributed to hospitals and charitable institutions in the Ilocos region, according to Nestor Domenden, Ilocos director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The Vietnamese boats were caught off Ilocos Sur waters on Sept. 7 and have been docked at the Philippine Ports Authority port here pending charges to be filed on Tuesday (Sept. 13) in Vigan City, he said.

The vessels were hauling yellow fin tuna harvested from Philippine waters.

Domenden said 17 Vietnamese fishermen were restricted to their vessels, which are guarded by members of the Philippine Navy. They would be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration.

The vessels have no registration papers nor local licenses to fish.