Jakarta, April 16, 2012 (ANTARA) - The seriousness of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) to protect Indonesia from the act of plundering by foreign nation caused a result. Two fishing boats from Philipine which were pump boats type succesfully arrested by the Supervisor Boat of MMAF on this weekend. It means not even one month passed, four illegal fishing boats from Philippines have been arrested. The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sharif C. Sutardjo in Jakarta appreciated the work performance of his officer in the field. He will continue to declare "war" against perpetrators of illegal fishing, and take firm actions according to the regulations in Indonesia. "The presence of illegal fishing from neighbouring countries will harm our fishermen as well as threaten the sustainability of Fish Resources," he added.

FBca. G.R. LYN-2 boat, with Abner Espanol aka Misaya (46) as a boat captain and its 28 boat crews was arrested by Hiu 005 Supervisor Boat on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 03.00 EIT in Pacific Ocean positioned at 010 05. 044’ NL - 1300 08. 370’ EL. The result of examination found evidence including tuna catches, 30 rols of fishing gear of handling fishing type (rod elongation) and 15 units of fishing boats. While the Motor Boat. MAMA CITA with Andreo Oftana (29th) as its captain and its 29 crews was arrested by HIU MACAN 006 on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 09.30 EIT in the waters of Halmahera Sea at coordinate of 0o 19 '871 SL - 128o 38' 773 EL. The result of examination found evidence including tuna catches, 32 rolls of fishing gear of handling fishing type (rod elongation) and 25 units of fishing boats.

Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (Directorate General of MFRS), Syahrin Abdurrahman explained these both large Philipine's boats as mother ships used for fishing vessels which they have already prepared. "Their operation modus was the fishing vessels will operate separately and after each fishing vessel got enough of fish catches then it will be brought to the mother ship," explained Syahrif who also went down to the field in the Working Unit of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveiilance in Ternate to monitor the legal process for these boats of illegal fishing perpetrators.

The efforts to protect marine and fisheries resources continue to be implemented by DG of MFRS-MMAF RI with vigorous action to eradicate illegal and destructive fishing. In 2012, until second week of April, the officers of DG of MFRS have examined the 1128 (one thousand and one hundred twenty-eight) boats, and arrest of 30 (thirty) boats, consisting of 11 (Eleven) Indonesian-flagged vessels and 19 (nineteen) foreign-flagged ship.

In addition to the patrols action at sea, surveillance activities are also conducted on land, including check the fishing boats before leaving and returning from the sea, the examination of fish processing units and fish cultivation activities. Public's understanding on the importance of maintaining and protecting the conservation and sustainability of marine and fisheries resources also carried out through activities and community development. It has proved successfully with the formation of 1450 (one thousand four hundred fifty) supervisor group communities (Pokmaswas) across Indonesia, an average of 5-10 members of fishermen / communities that are volunteered to actively participate to help maintaining and protecting marine and fisheries resources of Indonesia.

For more information, please contact Indra Sakti, SE, MM, Head of Data, Statistic and Information Center, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Mobile: 0818159705)


Reporter: Okta
Editor: PR Wire
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