Taipei, May 1 (CNA) Taiwanese fishermen lauded and expressed their full support Sunday for the government’s action in sending patrol ships to international waters near a Japanese-controlled atoll in the Western Pacific that day to protect Taiwanese fishing boats operating there.

“Yes, (the government) should be this hard. This is what we call protecting fishermen,” said Tsai Tien-yu (蔡天裕), a fishing boat owner and former chief of Liouciou Township in Pingtung County, while voicing his anger over Japan’s detention of the Liouciou-registered fishing boat “Tung Sheng Chi No. 16,” in waters close to Okinotori Atoll April 25.

Tsai said the case has not just caused financial losses resulting from the seizure of the fishing boat and the payment of a security deposit to the tune of NT$1.76 million (US$54,442). The skipper also had to undergo a strip search. “Human rights have been violated,” he protested.

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