Russian authorities have seized a Shimane Prefecture-based Japanese crab boat with 10 crew members in the Sea of Japan for allegedly fishing illegally in Russia's exclusive economic zone, prefectural officials said Saturday.
The incident involving the Nishino Maru No. 68, owned by a company in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, occurred Wednesday, according to the officials. The crab boat left port on Jan. 26
The Japanese Consulate General in Vladivostok said the fishing boat was taken to Nakhodka, 90 kilometers (about 60 miles) east of Vladivostok. Consular officials are gathering further information.
In late January 2009, a crab boat from Tottori Prefecture was seized by Russian authorities for allegedly fishing illegally inside Russia's EEZ.
All 10 crew members were released in early February of that year after making paying a fine to Russian authorities.