Many Indonesian Fishermen Do Illegal Fishing In Australian Waters, KKP Do This

Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (PSDKP) Pung Nugroho Saksono (photo:kkp)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) together with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) educate Southeast Sulawesi fishermen who do fishing in Australian waters.

Education is carried out through Public Information Campaign (PIC) activities which will take place on 10-14 December 2024 in Baubau City, West Muna Regency and South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. Previously, this education was also carried out in Kupang City and Rote Ndao Regency on 30 July and 1 August 2024.

Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (PSDKP) Pung Nugroho Saksono said that since 2019 his party has continued to provide education. As prevention by providing understanding or awareness to fishermen to obey the applicable rules.

In addition, the KKP together with the Australian Government have agreed on three cooperation programs, namely coordinated patrols, public information campaigns (PIC) and alternative livelihoods for border crossing fishermen.

"This is certainly very unfortunate, in the midst of the intense Indonesian government fighting illegal fishing practices carried out by foreign fishing vessels, it turns out that many Indonesian fishing vessels are fishing in other countries without permission," said Pung Nugroho in his official statement, quoted Wednesday, December 18.

Based on data managed by AFMA and the Directorate General of PSDKP, of the 216 Indonesian fishermen arrested by the Australian Government in 2024, 48 percent or 103 people came from Southeast Sulawesi Province, especially Baubau City, West Muna Regency and South Konawe Regency.

Meanwhile, Director of Violation Handling of the Directorate General of PSDKP Nugroho Aji said illegal fishing activities carried out by Indonesian fishermen in the waters of Australia would pose a risk. Because, he said, it would interfere with cooperation between Indonesia and Australia.

"In addition to the large risk faced from weather conditions and challenging oceans, if caught, the ship and the catch will be confiscated and destroyed. Furthermore, fishermen will receive a high fine and will be imprisoned if they cannot pay the fine," he said.

Nugroho said another bad news is that starting in 2025 the Australian Government will no longer provide legal advisory services for Indonesian fishermen. This means that Indonesian fishermen are likely to get a heavier punishment than before.

Lidya Woodhouse, who is a representative from AFMA, said that his party was very concerned because Indonesian fishermen caught fish without a permit in Australian waters.

"Because not only into border areas, but has been exploring far into territory in Western Australia," he said.

It is known that the KKP and the Australian Government are also conducting activities to provide education on how to carry out responsible fishing activities. Then, it is environmentally friendly and does not catch fish in other countries' waters.