Simeulue Aceh Police Arrest 2 Illegal Fishing Boats

BANDA ACEH - The Simeulue Police Team, Aceh, arrested two illegal fishing vessels from Nias, North Sumatra, in the waters of Simeulue Regency.

"Based on a report by the Simeulue Police Chief AKBP Jatmiko, the two ships from North Nias were arrested for not having complete documents on Sunday (22/5)," said Head of Public Relations of the Aceh Police, Kombes Winardy, in Banda Aceh, as reported by Antara, Monday, May 23.

He said the arrest of the fishing vessel outside Simeulue Regency started with the Simeulue Police Satpolairud patrol along the coast of Simeulue Island.

"The patrols that were held are aimed at obtaining information and providing a sense of security and comfort for the fishing community in Simeulue Regency," said Kombes Winardy.

Then, the Simeulue Police Satpolairud personnel who were on patrol received information that two fishing boats from outside the area were docked at the pier of Labuhan Bakti Village, South Teupah District, Simeulue Regency.

"Because the shape of the ship is different from the fishing boat of the Simeulue community, officers immediately boarded the ship and interrogated the captain and checked the documents of the two ships," said Kombes Winardy.

However, the captain could not show the ship's documents such as a registration certificate in lieu of a fishing license (SIPI), said Kombes Pol Winardy.

This is regulated in Article 1 Paragraph (11) in conjunction with Article 14 Paragraph (4) in conjunction with Article 61 Paragraph (1) and Paragraph (5) of Law No. 45 of 2009 concerning Amendments to Law No. 31 of 2004 concerning Fisheries and Article 38 Paragraph (1 ) in conjunction with Article 73 Paragraph (4) Aceh Qanun Number 7 of 2010 concerning fisheries.

Currently, the two boats are being secured at the dock while waiting for the registration of small fishing boats to be processed at the North Nias District Fisheries Service, said Kombes Winardy.

"We also urge fishermen to preserve the environment, especially marine life. In catching fish, they must also use environmentally friendly fishing gear," he said.