"Based on the observation from our radar satellites, there are a lot of vessels that are conducting illegal fishing in Indonesian waters," Research and Development Head of the KKP Aryo Hanggono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is using satellites to track and detect illegal foreign vessels in Indonesian waters, stated Research and Development Head of the KKP Aryo Hanggono.

"Based on the observation from our radar satellites, there are a lot of vessels that are conducting illegal fishing in Indonesian waters," Hanggono stated here on Friday.

Hanggono pointed out that some maritime areas such as the waters of Natuna, Sulawesi, and Arafuru are vulnerable to illegal fishing.

"Natuna, Sulawesi, and Arafuru waters have an abundance of fish," he remarked.

Hanggono noted that the results of satellite imagery revealed the location with a resolution of up to three meters. So, the team can track the presence of illegal fishing vessels.

Hanggono explained that the ministry had received data regarding ships that have been legally registered and marked with the aid of a transmitter, whereas illegal vessels did not have a transmitter provided by the ministry.

"So, the vessels that are registered with the ministry are marked with the transmitter. When we view from the satellite, we can distinguish between legal and illegal vessels," he affirmed.

He emphasized that illegal fishing can be categorized on the basis of the size of the vessel, gear, unreported catch, and totally illegal vessels.

"A ship was registered as a 40-meter-long vessel, but in reality, it was 200 meters. A ship was registered, but was using equipment that is not allowed. A legal ship was found that did not report its fish catch. There is also a vessel that is totally illegal," Aryo explained.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) affirmed that the Indonesian government was sinking illegal foreign vessels as a deterrent move, and it was not against neighboring nations.

"I have urged our foreign minister to explain why Indonesia is sinking foreign vessels. This measure is being taken for legal reasons and not as a solution for neighbor problems," Jokowi stated while giving a public lecture at the Gajah Mada University here on Tuesday.

He emphasized that fishing boats were sunk after they were proven guilty of poaching in Indonesian waters.

The president confirmed about receiving a report from the KKP that at least 5.4 thousand large tonnage ships are operating in Indonesian waters.

"Almost all of those ships fish illegally in Indonesian waters," the president remarked, adding that sea wealth worth some Rp300 trillion was stolen from Indonesia every year.

President Jokowi has ordered the KKP, Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and the Navy to sink foreign vessels that are found poaching in Indonesian waters.

The president was initially baffled as no ships were being sunk despite having issued the instructions. However, on Friday, the Navy went ahead with the procedures to sink them.

"We hope others will also be sunk soon, so we can demonstrate that we are a sovereign nation. A country must be firm and must have authority," the president observed.

Three Vietnamese fishing vessels that were caught fishing illegally were sunk by the Indonesian Navy on Friday.

"We had been planning the sinking operation since Friday morning. Three fishing vessels, all from Vietnam, will be sunk," Head of the Information Office of the Indonesian Navy First Admiral Manahan Simorangkir was quoted as saying by the local online media here on Friday.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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