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Navy apprehends Chinese-flagged vessel stealing fish in Indonesian waters
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Members of the Indonesian Navy monitor the situation on board the KAL Maribaya during a maritime patrol in Tegal, Central Java, on May 30. (Antara/Oky Lukmansyah)
T
he Indonesian Navy arrested a Chinese-flagged vessel caught illegally fishing in the Natuna waters near Riau during a sea patrol on Friday.
The KRI Imam Bonjol-383 received information from maritime air surveillance about 12 foreign vessels fishing in the Natuna waters, Navy spokesman First Admiral Edi Sucipto said.
The foreign vessels tried to escape as the KRI Imam Bonjol approached them. The Navy then chased the vessels and released warning shots that were ignored. The KRI Imam Bonjol then managed to stop one of the 12 vessels.
The Navy searched the Chinese-flagged vessel. The vessel contained six male crewmembers and one female. All are suspected to be Chinese nationals.
The crewmembers have been brought to the Ranai Navy Base for further examination, Edi said.
"We will not hesitate to take firm action against those who violate Indonesia’s jurisdiction, whatever their flags are," he said as quoted by Antara news agency on Saturday.
Navy vessel KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 also recently arrested another Chinese-flagged vessel caught stealing fish around the Natuna waters. Meanwhile, Maritime Security Coordinating Board vessel KN Gajah Lau also arrested an Indonesian-flag vessel carrying Filipino crewmembers in Sulawesi waters on Thursday along with 50 kilograms of tuna suspected to be stolen from Indonesian waters.
The government, along with the Indonesian Military, has been stepping up security in the seas to combat illegal fishing by foreigners as well as tighten maritime security. (rin)
