Australia campaigns on illegal fishing

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 10/23/2006 10:50 AM

JAYAPURA, Papua: The Australian Embassy in Jakarta in cooperation with the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Ministry has launched an information campaign on newly enacted laws in Australia that carry sanctions to be given to fishermen caught fishing in Australian waters.

""The Australian government has enacted laws on the sanctions to be given to those found guilty of illegally fishing, namely a prison sentence of two to three years and a fine of Rp 5.7 billion (US$600,000),"" Papuan provincial administration secretary Andi Baso Basaleng said over the weekend.

Basaleng hailed the campaign to help prevent Indonesian fishermen from being caught and sentenced in Australia. He explained that an Australian team met him to explain the campaign.

Basaleng was briefed during the meeting that the Australian authorities had arrested 243 foreign vessels with 2,000 crew members for illegally fishing in Australian waters in the first seven months of this year. -- JP

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