Illegal Fishing Causes Rp209bn in State Losses: Minister Susi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has discovered a potential of Rp209.1 billion worth of taxes in its effort to eradicate illegal fishing activities, according to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.

“[The total amount is calculated] from 187 taxpayers,” Susi said at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

Susi added that her office has continued to coordinate with the directorate general of taxes to recover the tax income. Susi added that since the Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (Satgas 115) was formed, the Ministry has audited 1,132 Indonesian-flagged foreign boats, revoked permits, and sunk ships.

The Minister revealed that the task force has conducted ship sinking against 176 boats caught poaching fishes illegally in Indonesia. Later in July, Satgas 115 is scheduled to sink 30 boats. Susi added that her office has revoked 291 permits and suspended 261 others, as well as issued 48 warnings for foreign boats.

“Other pro-justice activities include addressing human trafficking issues in Benjina, Ambon and Pontianak,” Susi said, adding that the total number of human trafficking victims was 1,152 people from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Satgas 115 is a joint team consisting personnel from the Maritime and Fisheries Ministry, the Indonesian Navy, the National Police, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Maritime Security Board (Bakamla). Satgas 115 was formed under Presidential Regulation No. 115/2015 on illegal fishing.

ADITYA BUDIMAN