DILI, 04 march 2024 (TATOLI) – The Administration of Ports of Timor-Leste (APORTIL, I.P.) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MoFAC) have given clarification on the the widespread allegation on Facebook about Japanese whaling ships being allowed to dock in the Port of Dili for hunting whales in Timor-Leste’s waters.
According to a representative of the MoFAC, Francisco Maukura, the ships Yushin Maru II and III were only docked at the port of Dili to refuel before continuing their journey.
“The information posted on Facebook that MoFAC permitted for the ships to carry out fishing activities is false,” said Maukura, in Dili.
The president of APORTIL, Feliciano Correia, explained that the Japanese Embassy, through a “letter”, asked for authorization for the two ships to dock in Dili for refueling only.
Even so, the Yushin Maru II and III were inspected by representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry, as well as a team from the Migration Service, the Customs Authority, and the National Directorate for Maritime Transport.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
