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AKASSAR: South Sulawesi Water Police intercepted four fishing boats in waters off Pangkajene Islands (Pangkep) regency for illegal fishing.

The four boats were seized by the water police on Monday from two different locations off Pangkep as they were in the process of fishing.

Officers found evidence in the form of explosives, protected fish species and diving gear. The four boats and their crew members were immediately taken to Makassar for questioning.

“The four boats have been impounded for catching fish illegally by using explosives and for trading protected species,” South Sulawesi’s Water Police director, Sr. Comr. Hari Sanyoto, said in Makassar.

Two of the boats came from Cirebon, West Java, while the other two came from Galesong, Takalar regency in South Sulawesi.

The boats from Cirebon — KM Sinar Samudra I and KM Selat Makassar Barat — were seized for catching and trading turtles, which are protected marine mammals. Police confiscated 25 kilograms of dried turtle meat from the two vessels.