Jakarta, March 1, 2012 (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) through fishermen advocacy programs which held by the Directorate General of Marine Resources and Fisheries (PSDKP), assisted by the Consulate General in Penang, Malaysia has succesfully repatriate 13 fishermen from Batubara County, South Sumatra whom previously was detained by the Malaysian Government. Yesterday afternoon these 13 fishermen at Polonia Airport in Medan came back to their country by using Lion Air JT1285 escorted by officials from Directorate General of PSDKP. "Repatriation is a form of fishing protection and favor from the Indonesian Government to the fate of fishermen," said Director General of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Resources Monitoring, Syahrin Abdurahman today in Jakarta.

Syahrin further stated that the repatriation of these fishermen is follow up of the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU) Common Guidelines Concerning Treatment of Fishermen by Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies at the end of January. These thirteen successful fishermen that has succesfully repatriated were Putra, Yusli Musri, Ibrahim, Indra, Amri, Syaifudin, Basri, Ajid, Hasan, Baharudin, Syaiful, Ramli, and Hairi whom came from Padang River, Kuala Tanjung village, Medang Deras district, Batubara County, North Sumatra was arrested on October 6, 2011 for allegedly illegal fishing and illegally entering the territorial waters of Malaysia.

After they arrive at Polonia airport in Medan, those thirteen fishermen who were in return process always being accompanied by the Director of Abuse Management, Head of PSDKP Station Belawan, and staff of the Directorate of Violation Management, Directorate General of PSDKP, and will be submitted to the Government of Batubara County, North Sumatera.

The repatriation of thirteen fishermen from Batubara County, North Sumatra is the result of advocacy activities which are continuosly active implemented by the MMAF. Fishermen advocacy activities which held by Directorate General of PSDKP - Since 2010 until today the MMAF has boasted 205 fishermen who were arrested by neighboring countries, such as Malaysia, Australia, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste. In the future MMAF expects number of fishermen who were arrested by the state neighbors on charges of illegal fishing or trespassing region is expected to decline with the increasing of understanding of the fishermen about fisheries management area of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, the MMAF invites local government to jointly carry out development efforts and responsive action to problems faced by fishermen.

For further information, please contact Dr. Yulistyo Mudho, M.Sc, Head of Data, Statistics and Information Center, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Mobile: 0811836967)

Reporter: Okta
Editor: PR Wire
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