Unusual Actions Of Fishermen In Munabelih Lumba-Lumba Now Investigated By KKP

Photo illustration. (Doc. Pexels)

The motive for slaughtering dolphins by residents in the Muna Regency area is now being investigated by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through the Makassar Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL) for the Kendari Working Area along with other related parties.

"Currently, the Makassar BPSPL team together with fisheries extension workers and law enforcement officers, including local Babinsa, are still investigating this case, including tracing the motives and forms of utilization carried out by the alleged perpetrators," said Special Staff to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for Public Relations and Public Communication Doni Ismanto Darwin as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, March 8.

He conveyed this in response to reports regarding the incident of using dolphins in Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

He said that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through the Makassar Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL) Kendari Working Area had been tracing the information since Friday, March 7.

"From the results of verification in the field, the incident is true," he said.

He revealed that based on coordination with the team in the field, including fisheries extension workers in Muna Regency, it was known that the alleged perpetrator was not a member of a fishing group in Komba-Komba Village, Kabangka District, Muna Regency.

As a follow-up, Doni continued, the KKP through the Makassar BPSPL will continue to coordinate with fisheries instructors and local officials in handling the case.

"In addition, socialization will be carried out to the alleged perpetrator and preventive measures so that similar incidents do not happen again in the future," said Doni.

As is known, dolphins are protected species based on Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems, which has been updated through Law Number 32 of 2024.

The use of dolphins from nature without permission is a violation of these regulations.

Currently, the authority to manage marine mammals, including whales and dolphins, is still under the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut).

Doni added that the implementation of Law Number 32 of 2024 by the KKP is still waiting for further decisions, given the decision between the Constitutional Court and the implementation of the regulation.

"Further information will be conveyed after the results of coordination with the local Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Technical Implementation Unit of the Directorate General of Marine and Marine Space Management (UPT DJPKRL) Makassar," said Doni.

Previously, a fisherman in Komba-Komba Village, Kabangka District, Muna Regency, was suspected of slaughtering a dolphin from his catch.

The incident of slaughtering marine mammals occurred on Friday afternoon, March 7. This unusual action by a fisherman was recorded in a 59-second video. The video was widely circulated in the WhatsApp group on the same day.