Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) detained a Malaysian-flagged vessel for allegedly poaching in Indonesian territory in the Malacca Straits.
The arrest was made on Sunday (Dec 6) by the ministry's patrol ship Hiu Macan Tutul 002, acting Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo stated here on Monday.
"The KKP is consistent in its duty to ensure the country's sovereignty in fishery management," he noted.
The authority detained the foreign vessel near the overlapping area of claim of Indonesia and Malaysia.
"The ship and four crew members of Myanmar and Indonesian nationalities were arrested," he confirmed.
Based on initial investigation of the ship's Global Positioning System in the past two months, the ship had illegally entered Indonesian territory thrice.
The vessel was transferred to Batam Surveillance and Control of Marine and Fishery Resources (PSDKP), pending further investigation.
From October 2019 until now, the ministry has detained 99 fishing vessels comprising 63 foreign vessels and 36 Indonesian vessels.
Of the 63 foreign vessels, 27 are Vietnamese-flagged boat, 19 Malaysian boats, 16 Philippine vessels, and one Taiwanese vessel.
Director General of Surveillance and Control of Marine and Fishery Resources Tb Haeru Rahayu earlier stated that the crackdown on destructive fishing had become the ministry’s priority.
Destructive fishing will have a negative impact not only on fishery resources and the environment but also have a social impact.
The ministry will continue to educate fishermen to avoid destructive fishing practices, he noted.
Related news: Aceh's 19 fishermen repatriated from India after year-long jail term
Related news: Task Force 115 detains Malaysia-flagged fishing boat for poaching
EDITED BY INE
