3 Dec 2003

Asian fishing boat escorted back to New Caledonia

5:15 am on 3 December 2003

A fishing boat intercepted by the French navy in New Caledonian waters has been accompanied back to port in Noumea.

The Shan Sheng 168, which is thought to originate from Taiwan, was found to have eight tonnes of fish on board.

It was stopped after a chase that included collision with a smaller New Caledonian fishing vessel.

The captain has denied he was fishing illegally, but as Tuo Chinula reports charges are likely.

"The justice department will probably be bringing charges against the captain, to do with illegal fishing, but also to do with his ramming of the local fishing boat."