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Authorities seize two Malaysian vessels for alleged illegal fishing
According to Pung, despite flying Malaysian flags, both vessels were crewed by Indonesian nationals. the SLFA 5210 had four Indonesian crew members on board, while the SLFA 4584 was manned by three.
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A Thai-flagged fishing boat apprehended for illegal fishing activities is scuttled by Indonesian authorities in the waters of Langsa Aceh, Oct. 20, 2015. (JP/Hotli Simanjuntak)
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patrol vessel from the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has apprehended two Malaysian-flagged vessels in Indonesia’s territorial waters in the Malacca Strait for allegedly conducting illegal fishing activities.
The ministry’s director general of oceanic and fisheries resources surveillance (PSDKP), Pung Nugroho Saksono, said both vessels were apprehended on Monday following reports about their suspected illegal activities.
“When we inspected the ships’ documents, we found no Indonesian fishing permits,” Pung told the press at Belawan Port in Medan, North Sumatra, on Thursday.
Pung stated that the vessels’ alleged illegal fishing activities had caused significant losses to Indonesia, as they used trawl nets capable of catching large quantities of fish.
Trawl nets are cone-shaped nets made from two, four or more panels and are towed either along the seabed or through midwater by one or two boats.
When seized by Indonesian authorities, the first vessel, identified as the SLFA 5210, was found to be carrying more than 300 kilograms of various types of fish. The second vessel, the SLFA 4584, was carrying around 150 kg.
“We estimate that by halting this illegal fishing activity, we have prevented potential economic losses of around Rp 19.9 billion [US$ 1.2 million],” Pung said.
