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View all search resultsSinking illegal fishing vessels' publicity aims to scare, Susi says
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An official shows the process of the sinking of ships through a live telecast at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's office on April 6. The ministry cooperated with the National Police's Water Patrol and the Indonesian Navy to destroy 23 foreign vessels proven to have illegally fished within Indonesian waters. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
T
he wide publicity on the sinking of vessels involved in illegal fishing is aimed at sending a strong message in that Indonesia has a stern stance against this unlawful action, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said on Wednesday.
The government wanted to create a deterrent effect whereas if illegal fishing was handled softly, it would not have the desired effect, she said.
"Why publicize the sinking of vessels? Illegal fishing, right now, almost seems like the norm. I want to work together with all the relevant authorities and the ministry to eradicate this problem. And, to deliver a shocking and frightening impression," Susi said during a working meeting at the House of Representatives' Commission IV overseeing forestry, agriculture, plantations and fisheries, as quoted by Antara news agency.
By sinking the vessels involved in illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, the government wants to imprint a shocking message.
"It can be seen how the ships are set alight, so that fear is created. Hopefully in future there will be no more [illegal fishing]," she said.
Citing data from the ministry, Susi said 176 ships have already been sunk, meanwhile budget expenditures have remained under Rp 2 billion. The expenditure was necessary to prevent the sinking of the vessels causing pollution, Susi added.
Since her inauguration as minister in 2014, Susi has consistently taken a tough stance on maritime policies.
At the meeting on Wednesday, a number of family members of imprisoned fishermen were present at the House.
The wives and children of the imprisoned fishermen who were punished under the 2015 Maritime Ministerial Regulation on the prohibition of the use of fishing trawls and seine nets, brought with them written requests for the freedom of their husbands.
The family members claim the fishermen were left no choice but to break the law in order to provide for their families.
Commission IV vice chairman Herman Khaeron said he received many similar complaints from fishermen urging the government to find a way to resolving the issue. (liz/rin)
