Arrested Again, 6 Fishing Boats Allegedly Violating In The Sulawesi Sea And Malacca Strait

Illustration of illegal ships (Photo: dock. KKP)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has secured five (5) units of Indonesian fishing vessels (KII) in the state fisheries management area of the Republic of Indonesia (WPPNRI) 714 waters of Teluk Tobo and Laut Sulawesi, as well as one unit of foreign fishing vessels (KIA) in the waters of the Malacca Strait.

The Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (PSDKP) KKP Adin Nurawaluddin said that the foreign fishing boat with the Malaysian flag, namely the PKFB 1032 Motor Ship (KM) measuring 50.77 Gross Tonnes (GT) had tried to cut the net and fled towards the location of the waters where there were still overlapping claims (green areas).

"This modus operandi is mostly carried out by foreign fishing vessels from Malaysia, with the aim of preventing officers from exercising their authority when the ship is in a gray area," Adin said as quoted from the official KKP website, Monday, October 23.

Adin said, from the results of the inspection, the Malaysian-flagged ship was apparently fully manned by Myanmar nationals, and evidence was found in the form of mixed fish cargo of approximately 110 kilograms (kg).

He added that this ship also operates illegal fishing gear that damages the ecosystem. This is because this tool not only captures target fish, but non-targeted fish also has the potential to be caught.

"For the actions taken, KM PKFB 1032 was then escorted by KP. HIU 16 headed for the Langsa Elementary School Supervision Unit, Aceh, for further legal proceedings," said Adin.

Not only that, there are also five (5) units of KII that violate WPPNRI 714 waters of Teluk Tolo and Laut Banda as well as in the Makassar Strait. Three of them are suspected of violating the Fish Fishing Area (DPI).

Meanwhile, two other vessels are suspected of fishing without business licensing documents and using prohibited fishing gear.

"Even though Indonesian fishing vessels do not have a business license or operate according to their permit area, they are illegal. Moreover, using prohibited fishing gear, it is the same as having the potential to damage the environment," said Adin.

Furthermore, Adin emphasized that in the context of the Month of Bhakti Maritime Affairs and Fisheries which is currently being promoted simultaneously in all Technical Implementation Units of the Directorate General of PSDKP during October 2023, the KKP through the Directorate General of PSDKP also held simultaneous surveillance operations to protect marine and fishery resources at WPPNRI.

His party is committed to implementing technology-based surveillance strategies through the KKP satellite and Command Center, so that monitoring of marine and fishery resources is effective.