Now, Pantura`s fishermen already have 400 boats."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The maritime affairs and fisheries ministry will sink more boats caught poaching in the Indonesian waters in Natuna, Riau Islands Province, on August 17 or Independence Day.

"There will be an August 17 celebration in the most isolated and outermost island. It is planned in Natuna. We want the commemoration to coincide with the sinking of the boats," Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti affirmed here, Monday.

More than 30 foreign boats seized for conducting illegal fishing activities in the Indonesian waters will be sunk.

Minister Pudjiastuti will visit Natuna on July 22 to inspect the construction of a house for traditional fishermen from Javas northern coastal areas (Pantura), who fish in the Natuna waters.

"This Friday, we will go to Natuna to oversee the construction of a house for Panturas fishermen, who conduct fishing activities there. Now, Panturas fishermen already have 400 boats," she noted.

The minister will also inspect a cold storage facility in Natuna to support fish exports.

Besides this, Pudjiastuti will also attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a detention center for poachers arrested for conducting illegal fishing in the Indonesian waters.

The ministrys Secretary General, Sjarief Widjaja, stated that the government had allocated Rp60 billion for the construction of a three thousand-ton capacity cold storage and a fish auction center.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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