National Indigenous Times
Torres Strait Islander community leaders fear plans of a Chinese fish processing plant on the island of Daru will impact border security and the commercial fishing sector.
Located off the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, Daru Island is one of the few Torres Strait Islands that are governed by Papua New Guinea rather than Australia.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Papua New Guinea to build a $200 million comprehensive multi-functional fishery industrial park.
Community leaders believe the fishing facility will negatively affect nearby communities and their access to resources.
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Long a topic discussed in connection with the South China Sea, illegal Chinese fishing vessels are of increasing concern for Pacific Island nations.
As recently as early this week, the archipelago nation of Palau, east of the Philippines and north of New Guinea, announced that it had intercepted and detained a Chinese fishing vessel and six smaller boats in its territorial waters after it was confirmed the vessel had entered unlawfully and was illegally fishing sea cucumber.
The fishing vessel was apprehended in Helen Reef, Palau’s most southernmost region, by a Guardian-class patrol boat that Australia had delivered to Palau in September.
Torres Strait Islanders fear over $200m Chinese fishery handshake with PNG
WedWednesday 16
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ThuThursday 17
DecDecember 2020 at 12:58am
The Torres Shire Mayor Vonda Malone says having a large, Chinese-owned fishery could change life for Torres Strait Islanders.
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Torres Strait Islander leaders in Far North Queensland say they are incredibly nervous about China s plan to build a fish processing plant on their doorstep, and are seeking urgent talks with the Australian Government.
Key points:
China has signed an MOU with PNG to build a $200 million fishing facility on Daru Island
Torres Strait Islanders say they are very nervous about the Chinese setting up on their doorstep