Fifteen Chinese fishermen have been detained in Darwin, capital of Australia's Northern Territory, after their boat was intercepted by an Australian defense ship, the Chinese Embassy in Canberra said on Friday.

This is the sixth Chinese boat detained so far this year for being suspected of fishing illegally in Australian waters.

The vessel, intercepted in Australia's northern waters Monday afternoon, was escorted to the Darwin harbor Thursday, according to a statement of the Chinese Embassy.

All the 15 crew members have been taken to Darwin's detention center, where they were being held pending further inquiries.

The statement quoted the owner of the vessel as saying the vessel did not conduct any fishing in the Australian waters.

The owner said the vessel was nearly out of power and waiting for refueling when it was intercepted without any fish on the boat.

The Chinese Embassy has passed on its deep concern over the issue to the Australian fishing authority, expressing the hope that the incident would be dealt with properly and the vessel and crew members be released as early as possible.

Source: Xinhua