KKP Minister Trenggono Acting Like Susi, Sinking 10 Foreign Ships Of Fish Thieves: 8 Vietnamese, 2 Malaysia

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono. (Photo: Doc. KKP)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) together with the Batam State Prosecutor's Office carried out the sinking of 10 illegal fishing vessels that have received a permanent court decision (inkracht).

Plt. The Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, Antam Novambar, said that this firm action is a form of commitment in eradicating illegal fishing in the Indonesian management area.

"The Batam District Prosecutor's Office as the executor team carried out the drowning," he said in a press statement Thursday, March 4.

Antam explained that the ten ships that were sunk consisted of eight ships with the Vietnamese flag and two ships with the Malaysian flag.

Furthermore, Antam expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Attorney General's office, both at central and regional levels, for their support in eradicating illegal fishing. He said that under the leadership of Minister Trenggono, the KKP remained in a position not to compromise against the perpetrators of illegal fishing.

"It is hoped that this sinking will have a deterrent effect on foreign ships that still dare to steal in our waters," said Antam.

On the same occasion, the Head of the Batam District Prosecutor's Office, Polin Octavianus Sitanggang, in his speech said that the destruction was carried out in two stages, namely on Wednesday 3 March as many as four ships and Thursday, March 4 as many as six ships.

"The process of drowning perforates the stomach and is filled with water and other ballast so that it is easy to sink. Hopefully this will be useful as a fish house", he said.

To note, in addition to the 10 illegal foreign fishing boats that were sunk in Batam. As many as 21 other ships that have been submitted to the plan will also be destroyed in several locations including Natuna (9 ships), Pontianak (4 ships), Lampulo (2 ships), Sebatik-Nunukan (1 ship). Then, Bitung (1 ship), Merauke (3 ships), and Batam (1 ship, under the control of Kejari Karimun).