“A long-range radar donated by a San Francisco-based non-governmental organization (NGO) is now being installed in the Berau Islands conservation area to digitally monitor marine activity,” said East Kalimantan DKP Head Irhan Humaidy in Samarinda on Friday.
He explained that the radar marks a major shift from conventional patrols to an information technology-based approach. With the system, officers can identify suspected illegal and destructive fishing activities without relying on resource-intensive manual patrols.
“Through this information-based technology, we can detect locations of illicit activity more efficiently. This is one of our efforts to manage marine affairs and fisheries using digital tools,” Humaidy said.
He emphasized that monitoring East Kalimantan’s vast maritime territory cannot rest solely on the DKP, stressing the importance of collaboration with other agencies, including the Air Force, the Indonesian Navy, and the Maritime Security Agency.
Humaidy noted that the East Kalimantan DKP has enforcement authority up to 12 nautical miles, but joint operations with the central government extend coverage to wider waters.
“Law enforcement follows each institution’s authority, but we can act together,” he said.
The initiative reflects the DKP’s commitment to strictly enforce maritime laws and maintain zero tolerance for practices that harm marine ecosystems.
In a recent case in 2025, two perpetrators of fish bombing in the Berau conservation area were successfully prosecuted and sentenced to one year and six months in prison.
As part of its broader strategy, the East Kalimantan DKP is also expanding marine conservation zones. By 2026, the province aims to designate 330,000 hectares of protected areas, including Berau (258,000 hectares), Bontang (3,500 hectares), and Kutai Kartanegara (3,900 hectares).
Meanwhile, a 35,000-hectare conservation area in Paser District is still in the designation process.
Related news: Conservation areas should reach 97.5 million hectares: Minister
Related news: Indonesia outlines schemes for funding marine conservation
Translator: Ahmad Rifandi, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
