Today (we inaugurated) two ships that will protect our sea from illegal actions.Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono inaugurated two speed fishery surveillance ships called KP Hiu 16 and KP Hiu 17 on Tuesday to promote sovereignty over the Indonesian fishery management zones (WPP-NRI).
"Today, (we inaugurated) two ships that will protect our sea from illegal actions," the minister stated during a roll-call of the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) and the inauguration of two speed fishery surveillance ships in Batam, Riau Islands Province.
The two ships are expected to strengthen surveillance in WPP-NRI 571 in the Malacca Strait and WPP NRI 711 in the North Natuna Sea.
Addition of the two surveillance ships is the marine affairs and fisheries minister's policy to intensify the surveillance of marine and fishery resources and to thwart illegal fishing.
Trenggono expressed belief that the deployment of sufficient surveillance ships was a crucial strategy to conserve marine and fishery resources and to combat illegal fishing in the Indonesian waters.
The minister vowed to procure larger and sophisticated surveillance ships.
"I am looking forward to building fishery surveillance ships having the same class as the frigate in stages," he revealed.
Trenggono urged his rank to put in all-out efforts to safeguard the state’s sovereignty over fishery management in the WPP-NRI.
The surveillance ships Hiu 16 and Hiu 17, clocking speed of 29 knots, measure 30 to 40 meters in length.
The ministry has 30 fishery surveillance ships that function as the vanguard to protect marine and fishery resources and combat illegal fishing.
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Translator: Yuniati Jannatun Naim/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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