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8 RI fishermen arrested in PNG to be repatriated this week
Since 2021, observers and activists have noted an increase in Indonesian fishermen illegally entering PNG waters to fish, mostly to harvest an abundance of fish maw, seabass and certain snapper available in the area.
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The old way: Traditional fishermen make preparations before setting off to fish at night in Surabaya, East Java, on April 16, 2022. (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)
E
ight Indonesian fishermen who were arrested by Papua New Guinea authorities in late 2021 for illegal entry and illegal fishing will be repatriated on Friday, the Foreign Ministry has said.
“The repatriation of the fishermen will involve officers from various PNG agencies, such as the police, customs, immigration, the defense force, local government officials of the Western province [of PNG] and prison officers from Daru [the provincial capital],” the ministry said in a Sunday statement.
“The fishermen will be handed over to the Indonesian authorities at the Indonesia-PNG border on the Torasi River.”
The eight fishermen were sailors of the fishing vessel Aditya Sumatra Jaya and were waiting at a police station in Daru until further notice.
Since 2021, observers and activists have noted an increase in Indonesian fishermen illegally entering PNG waters to fish, mostly to harvest an abundance of fish maw, seabass and certain snapper available in the area.
Indonesian Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) coordinator M Abdi Suhufan said in 2021 that the watchdog estimated that at least 60 Indonesian fishing vessels ventured into PNG waters.
“This situation is quite ironic, as Indonesia is both a victim and perpetrator of illegal fishing,” he said in a statement. “It is a big task for the Indonesian government to ensure the security of the Indonesia-PNG border.”
Port Moresby has ramped up its efforts to secure its maritime resources in recent years.
In August 2022, the PNG Defense Force fired on an Indonesian fishing vessel that was allegedly illegally fishing in PNG waters, resulting in the death of the ship’s captain and the arrest of two other crew members.
People found guilty of illegal fishing in PNG may face 5 months to a year in prison.
