Taiwanese fishermen in about 50 fishing boats staged a protest in the Suao Sea on Thursday against Japan's occupation of what they claim to be the traditional fishing grounds of Taiwan fishermen.

   
The protest was also aimed at directing the attention of Taiwanese authorities to the issue, Taiwan media reported.
   
The fishermen complained that their fishing boats are frequently forced to leave waters that they claim is theirs. Taiwanese authorities have never acted on the behalf of fishermen to solve the problem nor lodged a complaint against actions taken by Japan.
   
Fishermen in Suao District, Ilan County, arranged to gather at a place 31 kilometers due north of Yonakuni-Jima Island of Japan on Thursday morning.
   
Many of the boats flew white banners that accused Japan of an "invasion of our traditional fishing grounds" and urged them to "care for fishermen's livelihoods and welfare."
   
No clashes between the fishermen and the Japanese coast guard were reported. Japanese authorities were apparently monitoring the situation with surveillance aircraft.
   
According to Taiwan reports, Japan has detained 13 Taiwanese fishing boats since 2001. Boat owners and relatives of detained fishermen have had to pay 4 to 5 million Japanese yen for the release of boats and fishermen.

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2005)