A Marshall Islands-based fishing company has indicated surprise that one of its vessels was recently arrested in Kiribati.
A Koo's Fishing Company vessel was arrested last month for a fishing violation that occurred in 2015 and is now being held until the company pays a US$4 million dollar fine.
Koo's Majuro manager Eugene Muller said the company had settled the violation through the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority and had thought this resolved it.
Koo's is a Taiwanese company that flags and bases its purse seiners and carrier vessels in the Marshall Islands and in Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Koo's also operates one vessel in joint venture with MIMRA.
Mr Muller said when the Koo's 108 violated Kiribati law by fishing in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in 2015 the company immediately sacked the captain and fishing master.
