Associate Justice Alexandra Foster during a hearing on October 8 found probable cause to charge Wu Cheng Shan with 26 counts of Transport or possession of fish taken or retained without a permit, 26 counts of fishing without a permit, 26 counts of transport or possession of fish taken or retained without a foreign fishing agreement, 26 counts of fishing without being party to a foreign fishing agreement, one count of possession of steel leaders, one count of fishing for shark, one count of mutilation of shark and one count of possession of shark.
Wu Cheng Shan appeared with counsel Salvador Remoket on October 8 for initial appearance and arraignment.
Shan through interpreter Jason Rui entered a not guilty plea to his charges.
Assistant Attorney General Ronald Ledgerwood appeared on behalf of the government.
Shan was released from custody after he posted $10,000 surety bond and $15,000 cash bond.
His plea trial setting conference is set for November 5 at 9 am.
Shan, owner of a fishing vessel Shin Yu Fu No. 68 was charged after Palau authorities intercepted the vessel in July while fishing at the Palau Exclusive Economic Zone.
During inspection of the vessel, Palau authorities found steel leaders in a basket and shark bodies and fins.
A court document filed in court stated that authorities seized more than two hundred of shark bodies and fins from the vessel.
