I expect that some things that remain undone would be completed within the six weeks left. The handover of six ships is left, so after it can be executed immediately, we will have no pending task for the next officials.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti had pressed for the handover of six foreign ships used in illegal fishing cases before the end of the current ministerial service in next October.

"I expect that some things that remain undone can be completed within the six weeks left. The handover of six ships is pending, so once it can be executed immediately, we will have no pending task for the next officials," Pudjiastuti stated here, Thursday.

On the same occasion of closing of the National Coordination Meeting on Eradication of Illegal Fishing, the minister pinned high hopes on the Team of Eradication Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing (IUU Fishing), or 'the Team 115,' having continuity.

Speaking in connection with the foreign ships, the team’s coordinator, Mas Achmad Santosa, stated that all six cases were already settled. The ships -- Silver Sea 2, Sea Breeze STS 50, Fu Yuan Yu 831, MV Nika, Gui Bei Yu 27088, and Cing Tan Co 19038 -- were also wanted by Interpol.

"Confiscated ships commonly will not be destroyed, and we indeed have them for educational purposes, to serve as monuments or museums. Some will travel around Indonesia, while others remain in Jakarta," Santosa stated.

However, funding continues to pose an obstacle for the team on account of the high costs involved in the shipment of some unoperated ships to Jakarta. Related news: Sinking of illegal ships improves fish stocks in Indonesian waters

EDITED BY INE

Translator: Ade Irma Junida / Suwanti
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019