Papasan With The Water Police, 2 Fishermen On Semau Island Were Immediately Transported Because They Bring Fish Bombs

Evidence in the form of homemade explosives secured by Polairud Polda NTT from the two fishermen, Thursday (25/7/2024). ANTARA/Ho-Polairud Polda NTT

A team from the Directorate of Water and Air Police (Ditpolairud) of the East Nusa Tenggara Police arrested two fishermen with the initials GM (48) and MP (66) in the waters of Kupang Bay today. Both of them carried homemade fish bombs to catch fish. Dirpolairud Polda NTT Kombes Irwan Defi Nasution said the two perpetrators were residents of Ansisi Village, Semau District, Kupang Regency. "Both of them are fishermen from Semau Island," he told reporters in Kupang, Antara, Thursday, July 25. This arrest was made after members of the Subditgakkum Ditpolairud Polda NTT conducted an investigation in the waters of Kupang Bay, precisely at the Coordinating position 10° 13' 091" LS 123° 27' 642" BT, using a rubber boat (rubber boat). During the investigation, they ran into a red gray motorboat that was suspected of carrying explosives. "When they were about to be checked, the motorboat fled by increasing speed," he added. Subditgakkum members then gave chase and managed to jump on a motorboat, take over the wheel, and secure the two perpetrators on the boat. When examined, the two perpetrators, GM and MP, admitted that they made, owned, stored, and brought explosives (rozen fish bombs) to catch fish in the waters of Kambing Island, Kupang Regency. "They also claimed to have committed this act of violating the law repeatedly," he said. After the arrest, the two perpetrators and evidence were taken to the Ditpolairud Pier of the NTT Police for further processing. The evidence that was secured included seven homemade fish bombs ready for use, seven ready-to-use explosive axes, one dakor, one diving glasses, one compressor unit along with a hose, one anonymous boat, and other items such as buckets, coolboxes, cigarettes, gas lighters, cellphones, bags, and sarongs. The perpetrators are suspected of violating Article 1 paragraph (1) of the Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951 concerning Firearms and Explosives. "For the destructive fishing problem, the Ditpolairud Polda NTT is not playing games and will take firm action because these activities are very damaging to the environment, especially the ecosystem and marine biota. The strong commitment of the Ditpolairud Polda NTT is that NTT is free from fish bombs," he added.

Irwan appealed to the public and fishermen to be more friendly in catching fish so as not to damage the marine environment. He also said that his party always goes around approaching fishermen to socialize protecting the sea.