"We have talked cooperation in surveillance between Indonesia and Australia," minister of fisheries and marine resources Fadel Muhammad said after meeting with his Australian counterpart, Joe Ludwig, at his office here on Wednesday.
Fadel said the cooperation was made to increase control against illegal fishing and it was important because Australia has sophisticated equipment for it.
Among the waters to be closely monitored is Arafuru waters located between the two countries.
In connection with people`s smuggling cases Fadel appealed to fishermen not to be easily allured by certain people to get involved in it.
He said he had already sent a team to inform the people about the issue.
Joe Ludwig meanwhile said he appreciated various kinds of cooperation that had been made with Indonesia including in the eradication of fish poaching.
To deal with border crossing by fishermen he said Australia has proposed issuing a document of cooperation with Indonesian representative in Australia and other officers concerned with regard to the legal process of the fishermen in that country.
He said the document is in line with the Consular Notification and Assistance that had been signed by Indonesia and Australia in 2010.
The ministry of fisheries and marine resources and the Australian domestic affairs have also signed a letter of intent on July 17, 2009 to formalize coordinated patrol cooperation along the Indonesia-Australia border.(*)
(H-YH/H-NG/a014)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
