Suspected Fishermen Using Fish Bombs in Sikka NTT Threatened with 5 Years in Prison

Evidence of the fish bombs used by the perpetrators. ANTARA/Ho-Polairud Polda NTT

JAKARTA - Investigators from the East Nusa Tenggara Police's Water Police Directorate (Ditpolair) stated that the perpetrators of fishing using bombs in Sikka Regency, who have the initials RN, are threatened with five years in prison.

Dirpolairud of the NTT Police, Kombes Pol Irwan Deffi Nasution, said the perpetrator was charged with the criminal provisions in Law Number 45 of 2009 concerning Fisheries as amended in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

"The perpetrator of RN is threatened with 5 years in prison for his actions," he told reporters in Kupang, Tuesday, quoted by Antara.

The arrest of RN was carried out on Saturday, January 17, when officers were patrolling the area of Parumaan Island, Sikka Regency.

During the operation, officers found suspicious activity on a number of motor boats. From the results of the examination, a compressor engine was found that was still active as well as an air hose into the sea.

In addition, dead fish were also found due to the explosion of the bomb. The arrest of RN was accompanied by a number of evidence in the form of motor boats, compressors, diving equipment, and fish catches.

Meanwhile, another suspect with the initials UD fled with a fiber motor boat and threw a bag containing five ready-made homemade fish bombs into the sea.

"Until now, the person concerned is still in the process of investigation by the Gakkum Sub-Directorate of the NTT Police," he added.

Irwan Deffi Nasution emphasized that the use of fish bombs is a serious crime because it not only violates the law, but also destroys coral reefs and damages the fishermen's own livelihoods.

"This action is in line with the direction of the NTT Regional Police that every violation of the law at sea will be dealt with firmly. The damaged sea today will threaten the lives of future generations," he said.

The NTT Police also appealed to coastal communities not to be involved in illegal fishing practices and to actively report suspicious activities in the waters.

"Protecting the sea is protecting life. The National Police invites all elements of society to jointly care for the wealth of the sea of East Nusa Tenggara," he said.