Arrested By KKP Officers, 2 Fishermen Perpetrator Of Fish Bombing In Selayar Waters, South Sulawesi Still 18 Years Old

SULSEL - Officials from the Directorate General of Supervision of Marine Resources and Fisheries (Ditjen PSDKP) of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) arrested 4 fishermen in the waters of the Selayar Islands, South Sulawesi (South Sulawesi).

Director General of PSDKP KKP Rear Admiral TNI Adin Nurawaluddin said they were suspected of illegally bombing fish. Of the 4 people who were arrested, 2 of them were young.

"There are A and H (28) years old, S 20 years old and A only 18 years old," said Adin as quoted by Antara, Sunday, September 19.

The arrests of the suspects departed from information from the local community regarding the rampant bombing of fish. The Fisheries Supervision Team for the Selayar SDKP Working Area, which is under the Bitung PSDKP Base Command, immediately arrested the perpetrators.

During the arrests on Thursday, September 16, there was a chase before the police managed to overpower the four perpetrators.

"The perpetrator tried to run away but with the alacrity of the officers on the ground, he was finally overpowered," said Adin.

From the results of the arrests, his party expressed appreciation to the community who provided this important information so that their staff could move quickly to carry out security.

"In the future we will continue to encourage, we feel it is important the presence of the community in the surveillance process, especially for cases of 'destructive fishing' or the bombing of fish with explosives," he said.

Adin said that the eradication of the practice of bombing fish continues to be intensified by the Directorate General of PSDKP KKP.

In addition, officers from the Directorate General of PSDKP KKP have also arrested the perpetrators of the fish bombing in Morowali Waters, Central Sulawesi Province, at the end of last August. From these arrests, 20 kilograms of fish bomb explosives were secured from the hands of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the Director of Supervision for the Management of Marine Resources of the KKP, Halid K. Jusuf, said that he would continue to improve handling efforts related to destructive fishing.

In addition to taking law enforcement measures, preventive efforts are continuously encouraged to increase public awareness about the dangers of using fish bombs.

His party continues to synergize with the authorities related to the eradication of destructive fishing, including cooperating with the local government.

"In addition to law enforcement efforts, we also try to prevent it with awareness programs and increase understanding related to illegal fishing," said Halid.

Previously, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, emphasized the importance of implementing supervision in sustainable fisheries management. Optimal supervision will encourage the creation of fisheries management that prioritizes the balance of ecological, social and economic aspects.

From KKP data, it is recorded that throughout 2021, 31 cases of destructive fishing have been handled, consisting of 23 fish bombings, four electrocution, and four use of fish poison.

In handling these cases, a total of 95 perpetrators were arrested and underwent further legal processes.