"Both vessels were observed by the border service's air surveillance unit in Russia's economic zone. The coordinates were passed by the air crew to the coast guard...both vessels were detained for illegally poaching squid" Natalya Rondalyeva said.
Together the vessels had 700 kilograms of squid on board, and they were escorted to the port of Nakhodka for further investigation. Eighteen North Korean nationals were on board the vessels, the North Korean consulate in Nakhodka has been informed.
"Since the start of the year over 80 border incidents have been recorded involving commercial fishing vessels from North Korea whose sole reason for being in Russian territorial waters was commercial fishing," Rondolyeva said.
The North Korean consulate has been provided with documentation, including photographic evidence, related to the breaches and requested that they take steps to ensure further violations do not occur the press spokesperson said.
