Indonesia’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has captured five foreign vessels, including four Philippine-flagged boats and one Malaysian-flagged boat, for alleged illegal fishing activities within Indonesian waters. The operation took place across two strategic regions: the Pacific Ocean and the Malacca Strait, according to a senior official’s statement on Thursday.
The Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, Pung Nugroho Saksono, revealed that the ministry’s enforcement patrols apprehended the Philippine-flagged vessels in separate operations last Friday and Saturday in the Pacific Ocean. The patrols were part of ongoing efforts to safeguard Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a critical area for the country’s fishing industry and marine biodiversity. Over 30 individuals, including captains and crew members aboard these vessels, were detained during the operation. The vessels were reportedly engaged in poaching activities, a violation of Indonesia’s strict fishing regulations.
In another successful operation, a Malaysian-flagged vessel was seized on Monday in the Malacca Strait, one of the busiest maritime routes in the world. The boat, which had a captain and three crew members on board, was also found to be operating illegally within Indonesian waters. Authorities reported that the vessels were equipped with prohibited trawlers, which are banned due to their destructive impact on marine ecosystems.
Saksono stressed that the ministry has been conducting regular patrols to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which poses a significant threat to Indonesia’s marine economy and food security. “The use of prohibited fishing methods not only threatens the sustainability of our fishery resources but also violates our sovereignty,” he said. These illegal activities deprive local fishermen of their livelihood and damage the country’s marine environment.
Since January, the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has seized a total of 21 foreign-flagged vessels involved in illegal fishing within its waters. The government’s aggressive enforcement is part of a broader strategy to combat IUU fishing and strengthen maritime security. Indonesia, with its vast and resource-rich waters, is often targeted by foreign poachers. However, under strict laws and with enhanced maritime patrols, the country has been taking firm action to protect its national resources.
The detained fishermen and their vessels are currently under investigation, and the Indonesian authorities are expected to take further legal action against the offenders in accordance with national and international maritime laws.
This latest series of arrests highlights Indonesia’s commitment to preserving its marine resources, upholding sovereignty, and maintaining sustainable fisheries through rigorous enforcement of its maritime laws. The ministry’s proactive measures have been widely lauded as an essential step in protecting both the country’s economic interests and its marine environment.
Source: Hans India
