YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, May 4 (RIA Novosti) - Two foreign vessels carrying a total of six metric tons of fish and 13 metric tons of crabs have been detained in Russia's Far East on charges of poaching, a local coastal guard spokesman said on Sunday.

A vessel flying the flag of Sierra Leone was detained in the Tatar Strait with some four tons of cod, two tons of herring and 1,200 crab traps on board.

Another vessel flying the flag of Panama was stopped with 13 metric tons of crabs, worth over 700,000 rubles ($29,586), on board.

Both poaching vessels were taken to the port of Nevelsk.

Criminal charges have been brought against the captain of the 'Panama' vessel.