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Indonesia sinks 17 more fishing ships
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Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A)
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aritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Susi Pudjiastuti and the Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (Task Force 115) symbolically sank 17 foreign ships on Sunday that had been used for illegal fishing operations in Indonesian waters.
“The sinking is evidence that we are dedicated to safeguarding our waters for the future of our nation,” said Susi at a press statement issued on Monday, as reported by tempo.co.
Ten ships were sunk in Natuna waters, with seven others in Tarempa waters, both of which are where the Riau Islands lie. Susi led the sinking ceremony on the Orca Fishing Supervisory Ship in Lampa Bay, Natuna regency.
Read also: Minister Susi to sink 100 more fishing boats this year
Task Force 115 operational director Rear Adm. Wahyudi Hendro Dwiyono explained that unlike previous ship sinkings, Sunday's sinking did not use explosives. Instead, the ships were sunk by making holes in their hulls.
He said since January, 88 ships had been sunk after the operators were found to be involved in illegal fishing operations.
The Sunday ship sinking was attended, among others, by Navy deputy chief of staff Vice Adm. Achmad Taufiqoerrochman, Natuna Regent Abdul Hamid Rizal, Task Force 115’s special staff coordinator Mas Achmad Santosa and Navy Western Region Fleet Commander Rear Adm. N Aan Kurnia
The ship sinking ceremony was part of a series of sinking ceremonies in 13 locations across Indonesia up to December. (bbn)
