Papua New Guinea's Fisheries Minister has declared frequent incursions by illegal Vietnamese fishing boats into PNG waters a threat to national security.
Minister Mao Zeming's comments come after several of the so called blue boats of Vietnamese origin, were captured by the PNG navy patrol boats, on Christmas Eve in the New Ireland and West Sepik provinces.
The Post Courier reports that Mr Zeming says this is a national security issue and it must be raised at the highest diplomatic levels.
He said the government of Vietnam should be called on to stop this blue boat invasion occurring in PNG and in the Pacific
The Minister said the National Fisheries Authority would continue to work with the PNGDF, the Royal PNG Constabulary, and Customs to improve border surveillance and combat illegal fishing.