Fang Chi Rong was charged on Thursday with possession of steal leaders, fishing for shark, mutilation of shark, possession of shark, fishing for turtle and possession of turtle.
Rong appeared for a bail hearing on April 24 and posted a $5,000 surety bond.Rong was represented by Siegfried Nakamura while Assistant Attorney General Ronald Ledgerwood appeared on behalf of the government.Rong was released from the custody on Friday.The affidavit of probable cause submitted to court stated that Rong is the captain of a Taiwanese fishing vessel called Shen Jyi Huei # 16.The vessel was registered under Kunioshy Fishing Company.The vessel ran aground on April 17 while fishing at the Airai reef.Marine Law Enforcement officer Syringa Gulibert investigated the incident and stated that he and other officers Allen Maldengesang and Victor Remengesau went out to inspect the vessel and during inspection the officers observed shark fins in the water surrounding the vessel.The document stated that the officers recovered steel fishing leaders from the vessel and partial remains of a sea turtle.The affidavit stated that KFC officials were observed to be bringing a tugboat out to attempt to remove the vessel from the reef.
