MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina arrests Korean jigger poaching

A Korean jigger allegedly illegally operating in Argentine waters was arrested this Tuesday by an Argentine Coast Guard unit, according to an official report.

The "Koras 03" was caught red-handed 197 miles east of Cape San Jorge and after a few "police calibre intimidating" shots was seized and escorted to Comodoro Rivadavia.

According to the Coast Guard report the vessel was sighted at 09:17 and captured at 09:44 when the jigger that initially intended to flee from the Argentine EEZ finally stopped engines.

An inspection party from the Argentine Coast Guard found the "Koras 03" was carrying "150 boxes of frozen squid and another 50 in process" and apparently had entered the Argentine EEZ last Sunday.

"Kora 03" is 55 meters long and has a crew of 26 Korean nationals. The Coast Guard unit involved in the incident was "PNN Thompson".

The Argentine Coast Guard report indicates that the Korean crew did not attempt to damage the jigger (as has happened in previous incidents with Taiwanese jiggers).

Today captain and crew will stand before Comodoro Rivadavia's Federal Judge Eva Parcio.