Rear Admiral Nurlan, commander of Fleet Command I's Sea Combat Group, said on Thursday he attended a June 10 meeting with fishermen and government agencies in Natuna to discuss the reports.
During the meeting, fishermen said foreign fishing vessels were operating almost daily in the North Natuna Sea, only tens of nautical miles from Indonesia's outermost islands.
Following the reports, Nurlan ordered warship KRI John Lie-358 to intensify patrols and surveillance in the area to safeguard Indonesia's waters and sovereignty near neighboring countries' maritime boundaries.
The patrol was conducted from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time on Thursday to detect possible illegal activities involving foreign fishing vessels, he said.
The operation found no vessel contacts or fishing activity, including suspected illegal fishing boats or foreign fishing vessels, within the patrol area.
Nevertheless, KRI John Lie-358 remains on heightened alert and will continue sector patrols to deter incursions and take firm action against any foreign vessel entering Indonesian waters without authorization.
The warship also stands ready to help ensure the safety of Natuna fishermen operating in the North Natuna Sea, Nurlan said.
He said fishermen play a vital role in protecting Indonesia's maritime sovereignty because their presence and observations at sea help authorities monitor vast territorial waters.
Nurlan urged fishermen to remain active in reporting suspicious foreign vessel activity encountered while operating in Indonesian waters.
Information provided by fishermen is essential for early detection and supports surveillance operations conducted by maritime security and law-enforcement agencies, he said.
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Translator: M.Nurman, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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