Sorong (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian navy has exploded and sunk a Philippine fishing boat in the sea off Nana Island Sorong, West Papua.

The FB Jamelia 01, however, was only one of 82 fishing boats exploded at the same time and sent to the bottom of the sea in various areas in the country on Saturday (April 1st).

The sinking of the vessels, which had been found guilty of illegal fishing, was ordered and supervised by Marine and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti from Ambon, Rear Admiral SS Panjaitan, commander of the Sorong Naval Base XIV, said.

Panjaitan said the FB Jamelia 01 was caught by the navys KRI Sorong 9211 when patrolling off Halmahera island on Nov. 22 in 2016.

The fishing boat with 25 crewmen without document was caught carrying 5 tons of tuna fish.

The crewmen were sent back to their home counties but the skipper Joseph Ombauw was tried in a Sorong court which sentenced him to one years imprisonment and fine of Rp1 billion.

The Indonesian authorities have destroyed or exploded hundreds of fishing vessels mostly foreign fishing boats for illegal fishing over the past two years.
(Uu.H-ASG/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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