Police nab Vietnamese fishermen for poaching

BATAM: Police have arrested 12 Vietnamese fishermen and seized their ship for suspected poaching in Natuna waters, Riau Islands province.

Local maritime police chief Comr. Sigit said Sunday his men had found 1.5 tons of fish, including endangered great white sharks, on board the Vietnamese-flagged vessel.

“The catch was to have been transferred to a larger ship in international waters between Indonesia and Singapore,” Sigit told The Jakarta Post, adding the fishermen had been arrested Friday.

He said the fishermen, including the ship’s captain, identified as Chau Wan Hieu, would be charged with immigration and maritime violations.

— JP