DFW Indonesia National Coordinator Moh Abdi Suhufan believes no significant and substantive regional-level action was taken to eradicate IUUF.
"South China Sea, including the North Natuna Sea, has been a hotspot for IUUF by member countries that have agreed to the RPOA, but no real joint action was taken in the region," Suhufan pointed out.
He reiterated that given the wide scope of cooperation and agreement of the RPOA IUUF, several fishery problems should have been addressed with the presence of the RPOA IUUF, in place for 14 years.
Suhufan reminded that IUUF crimes are closely related to violations of forced labor and human trafficking as well as human rights violations that occurred on fishing boats targeting crews.
Related news: Countries should intensify cooperation to combat illegal fishing
In 2020, DFW Indonesia had received reports of several Indonesian crew members working on Chinese vessels that were indicated of conducting illegal fishing activities.
"The ship did not activate the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and employed Indonesian crew members, who are victims of human trafficking departing and boarding ships from Singapore," he stated.
Such practice necessitates taking precautionary measures through applying strategy and implementing the RPOA IUUF to combat IUUF crimes.
In addition, Suhufan drew attention to the vulnerabilities in Arafura and Timor Sea involving Indonesian fishing vessels.
"Ironically, in this sub-region, Indonesian ships are the perpetrators of IUU fishing in Australia and Papua New Guinea," he remarked.
Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono had earlier invited member countries in connection with the RPOA-IUUF to increase cooperation in eradicating illegal fishing.
"We need to emphasize that fighting IUU fishing in various circumstances is not solely the responsibility of one country," Trenggono pointed out.
The ministry, which has been fighting illegal fishing in Indonesia's archipelago, received support from regional partners in the RPOA-IUU.
RPOA IUUF is a regional initiative agreed in 2007 in Bali, by 11 countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Related news: Indonesia, partners make unified efforts to address illegal fishing
Related news: Ministries deport 34 Vietnamese ship crew members
Translator: M Razi, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
