PNG Defence Force Navy

The destruction of the vessels was ordered by the Bomana District Court after the boats were caught fishing illegally off Budibidi Island, Milne Bay Province, on December 22.

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is in charge of the destruction operation, planned to be carried out by the PNGDF Navy's explosive ordinance and diving team.

It’s been over a week since the initial destruction operation failed to push through due to bad weather.

The vessels were used by 50 Vietnamese fishermen who had been fishing in PNG waters off Budibidi Island in Milne Bay Province. This was on December 22, 2016.

The two illegal vessels were ordered early this year to be destroyed by the court.

They were towed out of Fairfax Harbour at midday yesterday by the PNG Defence Force Navy vessel HMPNGS Buna to a sinking site outside Port Moresby. 

The destruction was organised by the National Fisheries Authority and planned to be carried out by the PNGDF Navy's explosive ordinance and diving team.