MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina arrests Ghana flagged jigger allegedly poaching

A Ghana flagged jigger with Chinese crew was captured Sunday afternoon by the Argentine Coast Guard allegedly fishing inside the Argentine economic exclusive zone 370 kilometers south east of the city of Necochea.

According to the official report "Zhong Yuan YU" was caught 198 nautical miles offshore the Argentine coast and was carrying 385 tons of processed squid and two of non-processed. The jigger was detected and pursued by the Argentine Coast Guard vessel "Azopardo" that was patrolling the area. Apparently when the captain of Azopardo radioed the order of arrest, the jigger tried to flee and was pursued but finally turned in. A boarding party of eight found the "Zhong Yuan Yu" had 385 tons of processed squid in the hold and two tons on deck ready to be processed. The 70 meters long Ghana flagged jigger has a crew of 33, "all Chinese citizens". She is currently being escorted to Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut to face charges of infringing Argentina's Federal Fisheries bill, number 24.922.