JUNEAU, Alaska—U.S. Sen. Mark Begich on Tuesday called on the Coast Guard to sink a stateless, rat-infested vessel accused of illegal fishing.
In a letter to the Coast Guard's commandant, Begich said sinking the Bangun Perkasa would send a clear signal that "pirate" fishing is unacceptable to the United States, and won't be tolerated.
A Coast Guard spokeswoman in Alaska, Sara Francis, said a decision about what to do with the vessel would be made by NOAA Fisheries. A spokeswoman for that agency, Julie Speegle, said the options for how best to deal with the vessel likely wouldn't be discussed until it is brought to shore and a survey — evaluating such things as whether the ship is sea-worthy or of any value — has been completed.
The Coast Guard seized the vessel Sept. 7, about 2,600 miles southwest of Kodiak, after receiving a report that the vessel was fishing illegally with a drift net. The crew initially claimed the ship was from Indonesia, but Francis said Indonesian officials denied that.
Authorities reported finding 30 tons of squid and 30 shark carcasses on board. They also found evidence of rats. State law prevents ships with rats from entering Alaska waters. The vessel was brought three miles off Dutch Harbor Sunday.
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