... seven foreign boats comprised four Vietnamese boats, one Thai, and two Philippine boats...Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Navy is implementing measures to tighten security in its maritime territory, Admiral Ade Supandi stated.
The Navy has established cooperation with the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to confiscate foreign boats caught illegally fishing in Indonesian waters, Supandi noted here on Friday.
During a security operation conducted on January 21-25, 2015, the navy seized seven foreign boats and seven Indonesian boats for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters.
The seven foreign boats comprised four Vietnamese boats, one Thai, and two Philippine boats.
The four Vietnamese boats were caught by the maritime affairs ministry's Hiu Macan 001 boat in Natuna Sea, on January 22, 2015.
The Thai boat was detained by KP Hiu 008 boat on January 25, 2015.
The Indonesian authorities have yet to arrive at a decision on whether to sink the Philippine boats.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who vowed to revive the past maritime glory of Indonesia during his tenure as the head of state, is determined to stop the entry of illegal foreign fishing boats into Indonesian waters.
According to data, Indonesia suffered annual losses of some Rp300 trillion, or US$24.27 billion, due to illegal fishing activities.
Some 5.4 thousand fishing vessels reportedly operated illegally in Indonesian waters as the government did not take firm action against them.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
