Committing Violations, Three Perpetrators Of Fish Bombings In Central Sulawesi Arrested

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has arrested three fishermen suspected of fishing using explosives (destructive fishing).

The arrests were made in the waters of Kokoila Island, Menui Islands District, Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi.

"This arrest is a manifestation of the KKP's firm commitment to protecting marine and fishery resources, especially in coastal areas and small islands," said Adin Nurawaluddin, Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (PSDKP) in his official statement, quoted Monday, November 27.

Adin said the supervision was the result of a follow-up to the Bitung PSDKP Base Maritime Intelligence and Fisheries team.

The arrest was carried out after receiving a report on the location of the alleged perpetrator's movement in Kendari which would bring ice cubes and other logistics to the location of the bombing.

In this operation, Adin said, the Maritime Intelligence and Fisheries Team of PSKDP Bitung Base stalked the alleged perpetrator for approximately two days at Kendari Port.

Furthermore, on November 15, 2033 at around 05.00 WITA, the patrol team pursued until finally the three suspected perpetrators were arrested

He mentioned that the three suspected perpetrators who were arrested included R alias PB, S alias PA, and U alias PR. Officers secured a number of pieces of evidence, including one motorcycle boat, one Honda 20PK stamp engine, one compressor machine, two roll compressor hoses, homemade fish bomb bottles and several other supporting equipment.

Based on the confession to the officers, the alleged perpetrator apparently carried three bottles of fish bombs and had often carried out fishing activities using explosives (destructive fishing) around Kokoila Island, Padei Laut Village.

In fact, according to Adin, catching fish using explosives can result in the death of non-target fish along with other juvenils and biota, including coral reefs as fish homes.

"The direct impact of the use of explosives is that it can damage and destroy the water ecosystem due to destructive explosive power," said Adin.

In addition, the KKP admitted that many cases of destructive fishing had also endangered the safety of explosives-throwing souls.

Adin said that currently the alleged perpetrator and a number of evidence found by officers had been handed over to the Civil Servant Investigator (PPNS) of the Bitung PSDKP Base for further investigation.

Furthermore, Adin said, the alleged perpetrator was suspected of violating Article 9 paragraph (1) of Law Number 45 of 2009 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 2004 concerning Fisheries in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) number 1 of the Criminal Code.