The latest victims were identified as Poniman, 50, and Sukarso, 48, who drowned after boats capsized during stormy weather at the end of December.

Their bodies were found the next day floating about 200 meters off the coast north of Sleko Pier, near Tanjung Intan Port in Cilacap.

Atas Munandar, head of the Indonesian Fishermen Association's Cilacap office and leader of the Wijayakusuma search and rescue team, said fatalities during high seas were an expected occurrence.

"However, the most fatalities were recorded last year. In 2007, there were 15 victims, but the current figure has raised grave concern, especially among fishermen's families, because they are not covered by insurance," he said.

He added insurance coverage was out of the reach of most of the 35,000 fishermen in Cilacap because the majority lived in poverty, or only just got by on their meager earnings.

"However, considering the risk of dying at sea, it seems their earnings aren't commensurate. But they have to take the risk, otherwise they wouldn't have food on the table," Atas said.

As head of the fishermen's association, he went on, there was little he could do to prevent accidents at sea.

"At most, we can only advise them not to go out to sea during stormy weather or not to sail beyond the safe limits off the coast. We can't stop them fishing because that's their livelihood," he said.

He added the fishermen were well aware of the risks they faced each time they set sail, with the more heedful ones choosing to stay on land if the risk appeared too great. But this meant they would have to borrow money to for their daily expenses.

"However, many are stubborn, especially those who say their lives are in God's hands," Atas said.

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