Aceh PSDKP Set 2 Fishermen Suspected Of Illegal Fishing

PSDKP officers inspected fishing vessels caught using trawler trawlers at the Nusantara Lampulo Fisheries Port, Banda Aceh, Saturday (27/5/2023). ANTARA/M Haris SA

BANDA ACEH - Civil servant investigator (PPNS) Lampulo Fisheries Marine Resources Supervisory Base (PSDKP), Banda Aceh, named two fishing boat captains as suspects for illegal fishing.

Head of PSDKP Lampulo Akhmadon said the two suspects had the initials MZ (39), residents of Belawan, North Sumatra, and JL (41), residents of Peureulak, East Aceh Regency.

"The suspect MZ is the captain of KM Surya Citra 25 and JL, the captain of KM Laot Jaya. The two motorboats were caught while fishing using trawler trawles in the waters of the Malacca Strait, Aceh region," said Akhmadon as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 31.

Previously, the PSDKP Lampulo patrol boat, Shark 12, arrested KM Surya Citra 25 weighing 49 gross tons or GT and KM Laot Jaya, weighing 18 GT.

The two motorboats were caught while catching fish using illegal fishing gear in the State Fisheries Management Area of the Republic of Indonesia (WPPNRI) 571, Malacca Strait.

KM Surya Citra 25 with 10 crew members came from Belawan, North Sumatra. The ship was caught while catching fish using trawler trawles in the waters about 12 miles from Langsa on Wednesday (24/5) at around 07.15 WIB.

Meanwhile, KM Laot Jaya and five crew members came from North Aceh. The ship was caught while catching fish in Lhokseumawe waters or about 12 miles from the beach on Wednesday (24/5) at around 20.20 WIB.

Currently, the two suspects are being held at the Lampulo PSDKP Office, Banda Aceh. The evidence that was secured were two motorboats, trawl trawlers, and fish caught weighing up to 3.1 tons, as well as ship navigation tools.

According to Akhmadon, the use of fishing gear in the form of trawl trawlers violates Article 85 in conjunction with Article 9 of Law Number 45 of 2009 concerning amendments to Law Number 31 of 2004 concerning fisheries.

As well as violating Article 92 in conjunction with Article 26 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning the stipulation of Perppu Number 2 of 2022 concerning job creation. This article regulates business licensing obligations.

Akhmadon said the arrest was a commitment of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to eradicate the use of prohibited fishing gear and not environmentally friendly, such as trawling trawlers.

"The action against fishing vessels uses trawler trawlers in order to oversee the blue economy program and realize measurable and sustainable fishing," said Akhmadon.