One of the four Vietnamese blue boats held in custody in New Caledonia has sunk.
The boat was seized earlier this month after being caught fishing illegally for beche de mer in the territory's north.
The intercepted boat was escorted to Noumea where it sank in port following a leak.
The authorities managed to contain a minor fuel spillage.
A Vietnamese "blue boat". Photo: AFP
The French authorities in New Caledonia have deported 13 Vietnamese fishermen caught fishing illegally last month.
The captain of a Vietnamese so called "blue boat" caught fishing illegally in New Caledonia will be tried on 1 March.
The French military has intercepted a Vietnamese blue boat fishing illegally in New Caledonia's waters.
Vietnamese blue boats caught fishing illegally in Solomon Islands have been fined $US4.6 million.
Three Vietnamese blue boats have been caught fishing illegally off a reef system in the Solomon Islands' Rennell and Bellona province.
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