The legal aspect should be carefully studied to prevent legal problem in the future."Kupang (ANTARA News) - Economist observer supports call for foreign fishing vessels caught illegally operating in Indonesian waters to be granted to fishermen.
The vessels could be used by local fishermen to increase their productivity, Dr Thomas Ola Langoday from the Catholic University of Widya Mandira (Unwira) of Kupang said here on Monday.
Earlier the Kupang branch of Indonesian Association of Fishermen (HSNI) asked the government to give the vessels in grant to fishermen instead of destroying and sinking them.
"There are many fishermen in Nusa Tenggara Timur that need the ships," chairman of the Kupang branch of HSNI Maxi Ndoen said.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered the sinking of fishing vessels found operating illegally in the countrys water.
Dr Thomas, however, said that the legal aspect of granting the vessels to fishermen should be considered.
"The legal aspect should be carefully studied to prevent legal problem in the future," hes aid.
A number of fishermen in Kupang expressed pleasure in hearing the possibility of grant in fishing vessels.
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the countrys independence day on Aug 17, the marine and fisheries ministry ordered the sinking of more than 30 fishing vessels of foreign poachers.
In West Kalimantan high prosecution office handed over 15 vessels of foreign poachers to the marine and fisheries ministry to be destroyed.
The marine and fisheries ministry cooperate with the navy and police in hunting for fishing vessels operating illegally in the countrys water and in sinking them in the sea.
(Uu.H-ASG/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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