Arresting Foreign Fish Stealing Ships In Seconds Of The Proclamation Of August 17, Director General Of KKP: This Is RI's Anniversary Gift

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) managed to arrest two foreign fishing vessels that carried out illegal fishing in the North Natuna Sea on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. This statement was conveyed by the Director-General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision of KKP Adin Nurawaluddin.

“KKP officials have arrested two illegal foreign fishing vessels with Vietnamese flags right before the seconds of the Proclamation. This is a gift from the KKP in the context of the 76th Indonesian Independence Day. During the arrest process, there was a fight that resulted in one ship being burned and sunk," he said in an official statement quoted by VOI, Sunday, August 22.

According to Adin, the arrest underscores the government's commitment to protecting Indonesian seas from IUU fishing practices, as an effort to maintain sovereignty, economic growth, and ecosystem sustainability.

Adin added, the pair of ships carried out illegal fishing in the Republic of Indonesia State Fisheries Management Area (WPPNRI) 711 North Natuna Sea. The two vessels are suspected of operating trawling gear pulled by two vessels (pair trawling).

"Pair trawling is certainly very damaging because it operates until it is actively and has a very low selective level so that all fish can be caught, both large and small," he said.

Meanwhile, 22 Vietnamese crew members have been at the Batam PSDKP Base for further legal proceedings.

On the same occasion, KKP Fleet Monitoring and Operations Director Pung Nugroho Saksono said that during the arrest process there had been resistance from fish thieves.

One illegal fishing vessel, the KG 1843TS, which was manned by 17 crew members, caught fire and sank. However, Ipunk ensured that all crew members of the burning ship were successfully evacuated and in good condition.

“One ship that put up a fight ended up burning due to overheating and sinking. However, we managed to evacuate the entire crew," said Saksono.

For information, the capture of the two illegal foreign vessels, the KKP has arrested 130 vessels during 2021, consisting of 84 Indonesian fishing vessels that violate the provisions and 46 foreign fishing vessels that steal fish.

In detail, 15 Malaysian-flagged vessels, 6 Philippine-flagged vessels, and 25 Vietnamese-flagged vessels.

"KKP will continue to maintain the sustainability of marine and fishery resources in the archipelago," concluded Saksono.