Police Invite Expert Witnesses To Investigate Dolphin Catching In Pacitan

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

PACITAN - The Pacitan Police brought a number of expert witnesses from the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Management (BPSPL) for the East Java-Bali Working Area and the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) in East Java to investigate the case of the capture of seven dolphins in Pacitan waters.

"The investigation of the helmsman and 23 crew members has been completed. All testified that the dolphin (accidentally) was caught in a fishing net," said Pacitan Police Chief AKBP Wiwit Ari Wibisono, quoted by Antara, Monday, January 10.

The investigation into the alleged catching of the dolphin, which is suspected to be a long-beaked dolphin or spinner dolphin, will still be continued by bringing in expert witnesses from the relevant authorities.

In addition to inviting experts to analyze and evaluate all available evidence, investigators want to know whether there is a fishing zone in the Pacitan waters.

"If there is, we need to know based on the testimony of this expert witness whether they (the fishermen under investigation) are in a fishing zone or a conservation zone where fishing activities are not allowed," continued Wiwit.

If proven to have violated the marine resource conservation zone that does not enter the fishing area, the fisherman concerned can be charged with a criminal offense against Law No. 5 of 1990 with a maximum penalty of one year.

"Fishermen may not know about this (fishing) zone distinction. So in this case they are charged with negligence, especially for the helmsman or skipper. Because as the captain, the person concerned must know and have insight into the fishing zone," said Wiwit.

The case of the capture of seven dolphins in Pacitan waters was widely discussed on social media.

Many regret that the unscrupulous fishermen who are said to be from outside the area (andon fishermen) have caught dolphins which are known to be protected animals.

In the 14-second amateur video allegedly taken by the ship's helmsman, one tail has even been cut off, while six other dolphins can be seen lying motionless on the ship's deck.