"The boat and commodities seized, including hundreds of stingray fish and leatherback sea turtles that were caught illegally by Vietnamese fishermen, have been sunk in Raja Ampat waters," Chief of West Papua Provincial Police Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw said here on Wednesday.
Paulus added the action was in accordance with Indonesias regulation.
Twelve foreign fishermen, who were arrested from the boat, will face legal process for violating the Indonesian fisheries regulation.
According to Paulus, the Vietnamese fishermen arrested have been named suspects and will undergo trial in court.
"The Vietnamese fishermen poached on Indonesian territory in Raja Ampat waters and carried out illegal fishing," Paulus remarked.
The boat had the Indonesian flag to deceive patrol officers. However, the Raja Ampat Waters Police stopped them.
"The fish they caught fell in the category of protected fish," the Chief noted.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
