TEMPO.CO, Batam - The Regent of Natuna Hamid Rizal said foreign fishermen usually enter the territorial of Natuna Waters, Riau Islands during this north season, chasing away the local fishermen.

"It's very crowded while north season, our fisherman do not go to sea because of the big waves," said Hamid, Tuesday, January 7, 2020. The north season is the peak of rainy season in Indonesia.

According to Hamid, Natuna is only the small boat and north season is a scourge due to the high waves. They are failed to go to sea.

Otherwise, Hamid said that north season is the right time for Chinese fishermen with large ships to enter Natuna Waters . "They have big ship so they got in," he said.

Natuna's fishermen had complained about the presence of foreign ship. There was even a fisherman who got disturbed by the foreign coast guard ship. "They sent our fishermen back to the land," said Hamid.

According to Hamid, the fishermen's ship was very small with no assistance. Therefore, they did not dare to fight. "Our fishermen would not dare because of their small ship," he said.

Hamid asked the relevant authorities to look after the Natuna Sea so the fishermen can go fishing calmly. He also hoped that foreign ship no longer enter Natuna Waters and disturb the fishermen. "Because Natuna's fishermen go to sea using small ships, only 3 to 4 tons while the foreign ship is large, above 30 GT," he said.

Antara | Safira Meidina Andini