"The devices were seized on Wednesday by the ministry's patrol ship Hiu 07, led by Capt. Jendri Erwin Mamahit," the ministry's acting Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision Agus Suherman noted in a statement here on Thursday.
The fish aggregating devices were illegally set in the waters, allegedly by foreign fishermen.
"Based on their identities, the rumpons were allegedly owned by Malaysian fishermen," Suherman added.
The devices were handed over to the Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision station in Tarakan, North Kalimantan.
During the period from January to July 2019, the ministry had seized 81 illegal fish aggregating devices, of which 76 units were operated by Filipinos and five others by Malaysians.
Based on Ministerial Decree No. 26/Permen-KP/2014 on Rumpon, any party keen on setting a fish aggregating device in the Indonesian waters must possess a legal document.
Marine and Fisheries Affairs Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has encouraged the police to tackle illegal activities in the Indonesian waters in a bid to support national sovereignty.
During a general lecture of the National Police Command and Staff Academy on June 28, Pudjiastuti reiterated that the police played a crucial role in taking legal action against illegal foreign fishing ships operating in the country's waters.
She highlighted the significance of handling the issue with utmost seriousness, taking into account the high economic value of the sea-based products.
Translator: M Razi Rahman, Sri Haryati
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
