According to the China Times, Xu Xinying, chairperson of the Minkuotang political party in Taiwan, staged a protest on Aug. 8 in front of the office of Tsai Ing-wen, the current leader of Taiwan. The protest accompanied the delivery of a petition signed by 120,000 people challenging the results of the recent South China Sea arbitration. Xu was joined by a number of fishermen whose livelihoods are potentially on the line.

Chen Shengfu, captain of the Man Ji Sheng fishing boat, gave an impassioned plea: “Don’t point the gun at us. The authorities should send more destroyers to protect the lives and property of fishermen.” Chen also expressed his hope that authorities would begin to support to fishermen instead of fining them for simply defending the contested island.

On Aug. 8, boxes filled with signatures were placed in front of Tsai’s office. An ironic drama was performed at the scene by 20 protesters, whose message was that fishermen might be vulnerable to persecution in the future.

Fishermen have been fishing near the Taiping Island in the South China Sea for the past 40 years, but now they do not dare to continue since other countries have sent warships to patrol the area. Chen added, “This has posed a great threat to us but authorities have failed to offer necessary protection.”

Xu emphasized that the fishing industry is crucial to Taiwan, but the results of the arbitration endanger that industry. Xu also criticized Tsai for her inaction in the wake of the South China Sea arbitration.

In July, a group of Taiwanese fishermen attempted to protest the arbitration on Taiping Island, but were fined by Taiwanese authorities after returning on July 31.