As the government is set to hold a preparatory meeting for the fifth round of fishery negotiations with Japan tomorrow, more than 1,000 fishermen are planning to petition the Legislative Yuan today to urge the lawmaking body and the government to better safeguard their fishing rights as well as the nation's exclusive economic zone.
The official talks are planned for July 29.
Peaceful
"It will be a peaceful protest," said Chen Jien-chong (
Among the nine appeals the group plans to present to lawmakers and government officials, Chen said that they would like to see the government create a better fishing environment for fishermen and establish a maritime ministry to deal with related affairs.
The group is scheduled to visit Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
In addition to 400 fishermen from the Suao Fishermen's Association, event convener and a fishing boat captain Lee Yuan-chang (李源漳) said that 400 more are expected from Pingtong's Tongkang Fishermen's Association, about 200 more from Taitung's Hsinkang Fishermen's Association and an additional 300 or more from Keelung's Fishermen's Association.
No further plan has yet been disclosed if today's preparatory meeting does not meet the group's expectations.
Lee Yuan-chang said that he hopes both the executive and legislative branches put aside partisan interests and make an effort to improve fishermen's quality of life.
Third-class
"We have been treated like third-class citizens over the years. We would like this to stop and see the government show more concern for our interests because we deserve better treatment," he said.
He also called on the government to establish a relief fund exclusively dedicated to fishermen in times of need.
Lee Yuan-chang said that while they set a target for the fund at NT$10 million, which they hope to raise by themselves, they hope to see the Council of Agriculture reciprocate.
In addition to making the appeals to the Legislative and Executive Yuans, Lee Yuan-chang said that his group is planning to dispatch representatives to the Taipei Office of Japan's Interchange Association to stage a protest over a recent spate of fishing disputes in some of the two nations' overlapping fishing zones.
Commenting on the planned protest, Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday called on protesters to exercise rationality and abide by the law while venting their discontent. While the fishermen are entitled to taking their displeasure to the streets, Hsieh said that they must at all times act in accordance with the law.
Hsieh also refused to reveal the bottom line for tomorrow's preparatory meeting because he said it is confidential. He, however, pledged that the government will exert itself to protect the fishermen's best interests.
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