TOKYO, Feb 2, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A Japanese crab fishing boat with 10 people
on board has been seized by Russian authorities, a Japanese official said
Saturday.
The number 68 Nishino-maru was taken to Russia’s eastern port of Nakhodka,
where the crew members are expected to be questioned, said an official of
Shimane prefecture, western Japan.
“We are asking the Russian side, through diplomatic channels, to release
them as soon as possible,” he told AFP, adding that the fishermen were in
good condition.
Local media said the boat left Shimane on January 26 to fish for snow
crabs, also known as spider crabs, in the Sea of Japan, but lost contact on
Wednesday.
The area is surrounded by Japan, Russia and both North and South Korea,
and there are frequent disputes over fishing rights as well as claims for
possession of small islands and rocky outcrops.
Russia often accuses foreign vessels of illegally catching crabs in its
exclusive economic zone.