TEMPO.CO, Kupang-Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said to sink all illegal fish aggregating devices (FADs) in Timor Sea, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), as it disadvantages the local fishermen.
“We will perform an operation. If we spot any, we will legally process and sink it,” Minister Susi said in a dialogue with fishermen of Tenau Port, Kupang, on Monday, June 13, 2016.
In the meeting, fishermen complained about the presence of illegal FADs operated by large fishing boats in the waters of NTT. Illegal FADs are considered disadvantaging traditional fishermen because ecologically it will alter the fishes’ path. As the result, fishermen must go farther to the sea and increase their operational cost.
Minister Susi said she has not received reports on the presence of illegal FADs in NTT waters. She said the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries through the marine operations team will perform disciplinary operation once they received report on the illegal FADs. “There has not been any report from the local government referring to illegal FADs,” said Susi.
According to her, the ministry along with its partners will coordinate to act firmly on illegal FADs. Susi expects fishermen will help inform the coordinates of FAD locations.
The government continues to perform disciplinary actions towards foreign fishermen who are caught stealing fishes in the Indonesian waters by sinking their boats. “Specifically in NTT, I will coordinate with related officials to immediately conduct a disciplinary operation,” said Susi.
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