There were nine boats from Thailand, seven from the Philippines, six from Vietnam and two from Malaysia."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian navy impounded 34 foreign fishing boats that were illegally operating in the countrys waters, from January to August this year.
A spokesman for the navy, Commodore M. Zainuddin, told newsmen here on Wednesday that the foreign fishing vessels were from Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, among other countries.
"There were nine boats from Thailand, seven from the Philippines, six from Vietnam and two from Malaysia," he added.
Of the total, 24 boats have been destroyed, while some of them are still undergoing legal processes.
As much as hundred tons of fish was confiscated from the impounded boats, Zainuddin stated.
Moreover, Head of the Information Service of the Western Fleet Lieutenant Colonel Ariris Miftachurrahman pointed out that one of the fleets warships, KRI Sutedi Senaputra-378, which was led by Lieutenant Colonel Hendra Astawan, had recently seized two ships flying the Vietnamese flag. .
Believed to have been fishing illegally in Indonesian waters, the two ships were caught on Saturday while the naval warship was carrying out a sea security operation in the waters of Natuna in Sumatras Riau Islands province.
When checked, the two skippers of the vessels were unable to produce valid documents. They were also found using a trawler to fish, which is illegal.
One of the boats, KM Sinar Petromak, which weighed 52 GT, carried six crew members with Ngu Yen Van Tien as the captain, while the other boat, KM Sinar Petromak, weighing 133 GT, carried 14 crew members with Ngu Yen Van Phuong as the skipper.
The two fishing boats and their catch were taken to Sabang Mawang Pier at the Ranai Naval Base on Sunday for further legal processes.
(Reporting by Syaiful Hakim/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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