BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THE Agriculture Division at Tulaghi has assured that the Vietnamese blue fishing boat currently anchoring in Mboli Passage at Ngella poses no minimal threat of foreign species.
However, they said if the boat sinks then this will be a huge threat to marine life.
“Apart from rats, there is no threat from foreign species of whatsoever on the blue fishing boat,” said the Agriculture Division.
Three Asian blue fishing boats were captured by Maritime Police in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) early this year.
There were 40 crew members on board the three blue fishing boats but were deported to their home country except for three captains who are serving four years in Rove prison.
A deal to destroy the boats was made according to the High Court decision because they failed to meet the seaworthiness standard as reported by Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA).
One of the three blue boats said to be taken to Langalanga Lagoon last month by the selected initial bidder from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) for $400,000.00 dollars is currently only anchored in Ngella with engine problem as the reason made known.
Since it’s anchoring outside of Hakama Agriculture Station in Mboli Passage, concern was raised by the province that it might only end up sinking there.
