French Navy vessel in New Caledonia Photo: AFP
The French military has intercepted a Vietnamese blue boat fishing illegally in New Caledonia's waters.
The public broadcaster says the boat with 17 crew was intercepted near the Chesterfield Islands which lie about 500 kilometres off the main island.
It says the naval forces found beche de mer aboard and the High Commission has ordered the boat to be taken to Noumea.
Last month, the captains of three Vietnamese blue boats were jailed for illegal fishing.
Their crew however escaped on two boats from Noumea.