Drown! 10 Foreign Ships Sinking Fish Thieves Punished By KKP

Foreign fishing boats are being executed by the KKP. (Photo: By courtesy)

JAKARTA - The government, through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), took another firm action by sinking 10 foreign vessels that were proven to have committed illegal fishing in Indonesian waters on Wednesday, March 31.

KKP Secretary General Antam Novambar said the execution, which was carried out in collaboration with the Indonesian Prosecutor's Office in the Natuna Sea area, reinforced the message that law enforcement officials would not compromise with lawbreakers.

"The destruction of illegal fishing vessels shows the government's commitment to continue fighting against violations of the law in Indonesia," he said as quoted from the official website on Thursday, April 1.

Antam added that his party also expressed special appreciation to the ranks of the Indonesian Attorney General for supporting the KKP in eradicating illegal fishing, including in the execution process of sinking the 10 vessels.

Meanwhile, the 10 illegal fishing vessels that were sunk were KNF 7788 TS, BV 92570 TS, BV 93160 TS, BV 92468 TS, BV 92467 TS, BV 8909 TS, BV 92778 TS, KG 91526 TS, KG 93811 TS, and KG 93012 TS. .

The ten fishing vessels with the Vietnamese flag were caught in the waters of WPPNRI 711 North Natuna Sea.

On the same occasion, Head of the Attorney General's Office's Asset Recovery Center Erlan Suherlan said that of the entire ship that was sunk, eight of them were evidence whose cases were handled by the Natuna District Prosecutor's General Prosecutor. Meanwhile, the other two vessels are evidence of a case in a fisheries case handled by the Karimun District Prosecutor's Office.

"We, as executors of the court ruling, of course support the steps to eradicate illegal fishing in Indonesian waters," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Riau Islands High Prosecutor's Office, Hari Setiono, revealed that the execution was carried out by burning and being weighted to drown. In this way, it is hoped that the negative impacts on the surrounding aquatic environment can be minimized.

"It is hoped that the sinking will not have an impact on the environment, and the sunken ship can become a fish house," said Hari.

For information, the destruction of 10 illegal fishing vessels adds to the long list of fishing vessels that were executed in 2021. It is noted that the KKP and the Indonesian Prosecutor's Office have destroyed 26 illegal foreign fishing vessels in Batam, Aceh, Pontianak and Natuna.