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Air surveillance to tackle illegal fishing
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Australian Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce (left) walks with Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry in October 2015. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
T
he Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is collaborating with the Defense Ministry to conduct air surveillance over Indonesian waters as part of government efforts to take on illegal fishing.
The cooperation between the two ministries will see the Defense Ministry provide and operate airplanes to monitor territorial waters.
"Through the agreement, we have received help from the Defense Ministry to assist us by providing the necessary airplanes, as well as in their operation," said Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.
The minister was referring to the Marine Surveillance Aircraft (MSA), as the plane's capacity is most suitable for air patrols over areas most prone to illegal fishing. The MSA has a flight endurance of 8-10 hours, she said.
"The airplane is also equipped with monitoring control and surveillance (MCS) equipment, a search radar, a forward looking infrared (FLIR), and an automatic identification system (AIS) transponder," said Susi as quoted by tempo.co on Tuesday.
The minister added she wanted the MSA to be equipped with a data recorder that is connected to surveillance ships and the ships' base.
"At the beginning, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry will use the services of TNI pilots, of course under the umbrella of the Defense Ministry," she added.
The collaborative monitoring operation would commence this year, Susi said.
"The plan is that we might [buy] five or six [aircraft] first for this year," said Susi when asked about budget details for the operation, without disclosing where the purchases would be made.
"There are many offers, including from PT Dirgantara Indonesia, also from Canada, Russia, Germany, England and the Czech Republic. We will auction it," she said.
The cooperation agreement signed by Susi and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu is related to the surveillance of marine and fishery resources. It is part of the government’s efforts to eradicate illegal fishing in territorial waters.
Susi said the supervision operation would require wider support in various forms, such as on information and data, and would need to fit in with the government's strategic defense policies.
"Additionally, technology needs to be utilized, and it is necessary to integrate strengths from various government institutions," she said.
As stipulated in the agreement, the Fisheries Ministry will issue a decree on the surveillance operation and form a team for the aircraft procurement.
The Defense Ministry will certify and issue temporary registration numbers, special flight permits and flight certificates.
The agreement between the two ministries will be followed up by the Indonesian Military (TNI) with regard to the use of airfields. (liz/dmr)
