"Satgas 115 arrived (in Medan, North Sumatra) in line with international cooperation in illegal fishing eradication," Chairman of Satgas 115 expert staff Mas Achmad Santosa said in a statement issued by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry here on Tuesday.
The Interpol had earlier informed Satgas 115 that FV Hua Li-8 would pass the Malacca Strait. The Interpol had issued a purple notice for the Chinese boat allegedly poaching in Argentines waters.
The Navy deployed two warships - KRI Viper-820 and KRI Pati Unus 384 - to chase the boat sought by the Argentinean authorities for involvement in two legal cases.
"There is already one warrant issued by an Argentinean court that asks for the Indonesian governments assistance to check and arrest it," he said.
The Task Force is currently in Belawan, Medan, North Sumatra Province, to check the boat and its documents detailing its fishing activity and the protection available to its crew members.
FV Hua Li-8 manned by 29-member crew had allegedly poached in Argentinean waters on February 29, and also along the route it sailed.
The boat was also allegedly involved in human trafficking and slavery, according to First Admiral Edi Sucipto, spokesman of the Indonesian Navy, on Friday.
According to media reports, four of the crew members are Indonesians but were accorded the same treatment.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti had earlier said no fishing boat from any country found poaching in Indonesian waters would enjoy any privilege.
"No special treatment (will be there), even if an American boat is found poaching and was to be caught. We would certainly sink it," the minister said in her office on April 5.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
