Taiwanese fishing boat captain to be charged

The captain of a Taiwanese longliner fishing boat will appear in a Port Hedland court tomorrow charged with two offences under the Fisheries Management Act.

Fisheries Minister Gordon Hill said the captain Lin Lai Fa, and his vessel, the Lian Yih Sheng 2, had been escorted to Port Hedland this week.

The allegations against the captain were that the vessel was equipped for and carried out commercial fishing operations inside the 200 nautical mile (370 km) Australian Fishing Zone.

"The penalties for these offences could go up to $25,000 in the Port Hedland Court of Petty Sessions, or as high as $250,000 for each offence if the captain elects to go to a higher court," Mr Hill said.

The boat was intercepted by a navy patrol boat about 190 nautical miles west of Exmouth.

The captain was charged by a State Fisheries Department officer, on behalf of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

The catch of about 30 tonnes included bigeye and yellowfin tuna.