Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The government of South Kalimantan in collaboration with Navy (TNI AL) and Police (Polri) had detained 28 cantrang or trawl boats for illegal fishing in the province's waters in the last three years.
“Two of the boats were burned down, one in Tanah Laut in 2021, another in Kotabaru in 2022,” said Head of South Kalimantan Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office Rusdi Hartono in Banjarbaru, Tuesday.
Of the other 26 cantrang boats, 24 were caught in Kotabaru waters, and two in Tanah Laut waters. All of them were subject to criminal sanctions, administrativ fines, and criminal sanctions plus administrative fines.
“In 2023, seven boats were prosecuted, five subjected to criminal sanctions with administrative fines, and two others were given administrative fines,” he said.
Rusdi told that all of the cantrang boats came from outside Kalimantan Island, and were being prosecuted because they entered the waters or fishing zone of South Kalimantan.
He explained that the use of cantrang is prohibited or against the law, because it fishing with active tools touch the seabed and is considered to damage the marine ecosystem.
Rusdi said the monitoring of marine waters is carried out routinely in collaboration with South Kalimantan Regional Police and the Indonesian Navy.
His side also routinely provides guidance to local fishermen regarding fulfilling the requirements for ship documents in form of fishing permits issued by relevant agencies.
“We coordinate with related agencies to strive for maximum services for local fishermen. I hope that none of our fishermen violate the rules, and no one is caught because of illegal activities,” he said again.
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