Japan Hands Over Fishery Patrol Vessel To Indonesia

JAKARTA - The Japanese government represented by Ambassador Kanasugi Kenji and Director General of Asia Pacific ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Kadir Jailani signed a memorandum of exchange on the delivery of the Fishery Patrol Vessel.

In a written statement of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, it is explained that the delivery of Fishery Patrol Vessel from Japan was motivated by losses due to illegal fishing that is increasingly occurring in Indonesia.

The problem is a challenge in the field of development of the outer islands and fishing industry in Indonesia, which must be addressed immediately.

Nevertheless, Japan considers Indonesia does not yet have a fishery patrol vessel capable of monitoring waters far from the coast.

In light of these circumstances, Japan has handed over a Fishery Patrol Vessel belonging to the Japanese Fisheries Agency to Indonesia based on an exchange memorandum signed in February 2020.

"Based on the latest memorandum of exchange this time, again handed over a fishery patrol vessel, namely Shirahagi-maru, to increase the capacity of fisheries patrol of the Indonesian authorities and foster a better fishing industry," the Japanese Embassy said as quoted by Antara, Monday, May 24.

The delivery of the vessel is also expected to realize socioeconomic stability and improve the quality of life of Indonesians.

In addition to the delivery of Fishery Patrol Vessels, Japan has cooperated in the development of the fishery sector on the outer islands through assistance to improve fishing ports and markets on six islands, among others, Sabang, Natuna, Morotai, Moa, Biak, and Saumlaki.

"This cooperation will also encourage bilateral cooperation in the area around the Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea, as well as the realization of the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' through the improvement of law enforcement capacity at sea," the Japanese Embassy said.