Speaking in Batam City, Riau Islands Province, on Thursday, KKP Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Monitoring Pung Nugroho Saksono pointed out that the impounded vessels include 22 foreign ships, with some coming from Vietnam and Malaysia.
He identified the waters of Natuna and Sulawesi as among the most vulnerable to illegal fishing activities by foreign boats.
In the North Natuna Sea, part of Indonesia's exclusive economic zone in the internationally disputed South China Sea, the KKP has seized 41 vessels so far this year.
“Throughout this year, we have impounded 41 Indonesian and foreign ships in North Natuna alone,” Saksono stated, noting that they comprised 35 Indonesian ships, five Vietnamese vessels, and one from Malaysia.
He described the seizure as proof of KKP's commitment to assuring the public that the government stands alert round-the-clock to safeguard Indonesia’s marine and fisheries resources.
He highlighted that Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono had instructed KKP officials to intensify surveillance across Indonesia’s territorial waters to prevent economic losses from illegal fishing and improve the welfare of fishermen and coastal communities.
Regarding follow-up measures, Saksono explained that foreign vessels apprehended for poaching in Indonesian waters will face legal prosecution, while Indonesian violators will receive administrative sanctions.
“Foreign ships will undergo legal proceedings, while Indonesian vessels will be obliged to pay fines to the state as an administrative sanction for operating beyond their allotted fishing zones,” he noted.
The official further elaborated that some Indonesian vessels were caught fishing within 12 nautical miles from the shore, a zone reserved for smaller boats, while others operated in the North Natuna Sea despite holding permits only for the Java Sea.
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Translator: Laily R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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