The KRI Imam Bonjol-383 seized the Chinese-flagged boat during pay rolling in the Exclusive Economic Zone on Friday, Indonesian navy spokesman Commodore Edi Sucipto said here Saturday.
The navy ship received a report from the air maritime surveillance unit regarding 12 foreign boats poaching fish in the Atuna waters, which is under national jurisdiction, he said.
When the boats were being approached they maneuvered and fled. The KRI Imam Bonjol chased them and fired warning shots, but they ignored the warning.
Finally, after several warning shots were fired one of the boats was halted, he said.
After being stopped and checked by Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team it was found that seven crew members of the Chinese boat including one woman were Chinese citizens.
"They have been detained at Ranai naval base for further process," he said.
The Indonesian Navy has continued patrolling to maintain security of the territory under Indonesian jurisdiction and as part of the commitment of the navy chief of staff Admiral Ade Supandi to enforce law in the sea.
"Whatever is its flag, if a boat violates Indonesias jurisdiction we, the Indonesian Navy, will not hesitate to act," he said.
KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 had stopped a Chinese fishing boat earlier for illegally fishing in the same territory.
On Thursday, June 16, KN Gajah Laut of the Indonesia Sea Security Agency ((Bakamla) seized an Indonesian-flagged ship with eight Philippine crew members in Sulawesi waters. The ALFIT-07 boat weighing 5 gross tons was found carrying 50 kilograms of tuna.
The crew failed to show documents when checked. The boat's skipper Hamza Makoado had employed foreign crew illegally.
KN Gajah Laut commander Major Pulung Nugroho, who took part in the interrogation, said the boat would be processed because of the violations it had committed.
The fishing boat has now been taken to the port of Bitung for further investigation.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
