Russian Borderguards Concerned About Poaching By Japanese Fishers On Russia's Economic Zone

The Command of the Pacific Regional Branch of the Federal Frontier Service (FFS) of Russia informed Japan's Consulate General in Vladivostok that in recent days Japanese fishermen invaded Russia's economic sea zone with the purpose of illegal fishing more frequently than usual. According to information from the press center of the Pacific Regional Branch of the Federal Frontier Service, on April 20 10 Japanese fishing boats penetrated 1.5 miles into the Russian territorial waters in Kunashir strait without permission. On April 21, a similar invasion of Kunashir strait was undertaken by 11 Japanese fishing boats. When a Russian patrol boat turned up, the fishermen rapidly escaped into the neutral zone. The border guards found 12 deployed nets and 25 traps. "If invasions repeat, Russian border guards will have to take urgent measures to prevent such actions," reads a letter from the Command of the Pacific Regional Branch of the Federal Frontier Service.

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