In light of an incident on Tuesday in which 134 fishermen were stranded on a burning Chinese fishing vessel, Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday asked government agencies to build temporary shelters near harbors.
Chinese fishermen are not allowed to come ashore except in special cases such as storms or other emergencies.
In addition, fishing vessels carrying Chinese fishermen must obtain approval to stay in a special buffer zone and have people live aboard the ships -- which are frequently referred to as "floating hotels" -- when entering within 22km of Taiwan's marine area.
PHOTO: HUANG LIANG-CHIEH, TAIPEI TIMES
There are 21 buffer zones set up in the periphery of Taiwan's sea waters.
In a bid to solve issues of hygiene and human rights associated with the floating hotels, the Cabinet has instructed the Council of Agriculture to finish building temporary shelters ashore at suitable harbors to temporarily accommodate Chinese fishermen, Cabinet spokesman Chuang Suo-hang (
"The incident of the Chinese fishing vessel is an example of the problems surrounding the management of Chinese fishermen and floating hotels," Chuang quoted the premier as saying.
"As far as I know, the council has picked five places to set up the facilities in northern, central and southern Taiwan," he said.
According to Hsieh Da-wen (謝大文), deputy director of the Fisheries Administration of the Council of Agriculture, the five places are Nanfangao, Ilan County; Patoutzu, Keelung City; Nanliao, Hsinchu County; Wuchi, Taichung County; and Tungkang, Pingtung County.
"While the one located at Tungkang, Pingtung County is in the planning process, the construction of the other four are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year," Hsieh said.
On Tuesday, a joint search-and-rescue team plucked 133 fishermen huddled at the bow of the Yuanshen No. 2 (元勝二號) and in surrounding waters, as Typhoon Nakri pounded the nation with strong winds and torrential rain.
The boat caught fire and lost power while heading to Kaohsiung to take shelter from the approaching typhoon.
One Chinese fisherman, Zhang Qinjin (張青靚), remains missing and the rescue team is still searching for him.
Among the 133 fishermen who were rescued, 127 were from China and five were from Vietnam, while the shipmaster was from Taiwan.
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