Such problems are further compounded when the fishing activity is done in territorial state waters.
In Yap, where nearly half of the nation’s EEZ is situated, Gov. Sebastian Anefal has expressed grave concern over continuous illegal fishing activities in the state’s territorial waters.
On numerous occasions, the state government is notified of fishing vessels being sighted near the remote inhabited neighboring islands probably doing illegal fishing.
Most recently, the atoll of Ngulu reported a fishing boat being spotted well within the 12-mile territorial waters outside the fringing reefs for more than three days.
The National Surveillance Office was able to confirm the vessel had a monitoring system on board.
However, due to limited state and national resources, the boat was not pursued to confirm if it had been illegally fishing in the area.
According to FSM Maritime Surveillance, the vessel is not even licensed to fish in FSM waters let alone state waters.
The MV Shin Yeou No. 6 was spotted to have entered Ngulu’s 12-mile zone by the FSM Maritime Surveillance and preceded to Ngulu’s Northwestern reef where it remained for several days.
The atoll of Euripik has also reported similar sightings of a fishing vessel just outside its reef around the same time.
“In our situation, it is a frustrating dilemma as our local, national and regional capabilities to implement monitoring and surveillance control strategies are not up to speed but the industrialized distant water fishing nations continue taking advantage of our weakness,” Anefal said.
“Our waters and the living resources therein are being illegally harvested under our own eyes and we can only watch and hope illegal fishers someday become respectful of not just the resource owners but the concept of sustainability of the stock before its total collapse.”
The three patrol boats operated by the national government are insufficient to patrol the vast ocean area.
With poor economic conditions and increasing cost of fuel, the boats are likely to remain tied up in harbors more often than not.
