Fishermen and politicians from Rueifang Township (瑞芳), Taipei County, visited Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday to talk about financial losses caused by the Yuanshanzih Sluiceway (員山仔分洪道) -- but the "petition" delivery looked more like a campaign activity for Luo Wen-jia (羅文嘉), the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate for Taipei County commissioner.
The Government Information Office yesterday sent a text message to reporters that Hsieh would meet with the Rueifang delegation at 5pm.
The fishermen have complained that dirty water from the sluiceway has flooded into the sea where they fish, causing a reduction in fish stocks and hurting their business.
PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
However, Hsieh spent more than half an hour chatting with his visitors instead of talking about compensation.
Luo's presence was also controversial because it is against Cabinet policy for campaign activities to take place in government offices.
Luo initially said that he came to meet Hsieh as a "Taipei County resident" and noted that the official campaign period for the year-end elections has not begun.
The Rueifang residents began to thank the premier for what he had done, although nobody at the meeting had talked about compensation or what the government has done or might do.
"The government has helped us a lot. We shall also help DPP's people to win, so they can keep on helping us whenever necessary," said Lin Chang (
DPP Legislator Chen Tsiao-long (陳朝龍), who represents Rueifang, was also present. His aide told reporters that compensation was a done deal but did not give details.
After the meeting, when asked what the government had done for these fishermen, Water Resources Agency Director-General Chen Shen-hsien (
"Fishing authority" is the authorization given by the Fisheries Administration to fishermen to work in certain areas. The "fishing authority" must be renewed every 10 years.
Chen's remarks were quickly rebutted by Fisheries Administration Deputy Director Chen Tien-shou (
"Since their [Rueifang fishermen] fishing authority in the area is up, it is our understanding that they are now allowed to work elsewhere, in what used to be a restricted area that is closer to Keelung, so we will not interfere with their work," he said.
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