TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is pursuing Chinese-flagged foreign vessels, KM Run Zeng 03 and Run Zeng 05, which are conducting illegal fishing activities in the waters of the Aru Sea, Maluku, or WPP 718. The two Chinese vessels are also suspected of being involved in cargo transfer activity with a fish carrier vessel from Indonesia.

The Indonesian fish carrier vessel indicated to be involved is the Mitra Usaha Semesta Ship from Pati. KKP Spokesperson Wahyu Muryadi confirmed the alleged involvement of the Mitra Usaha Semesta Ship with the Chinese-flagged vessel.

He said the Mitra Usaha Semesta ship had been arrested in Dobo waters, Maluku, by the Directorate General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Monitoring or PSDKP on Monday morning, April 15, 2024.

"The PSDKP team found evidence that the vessel was involved in transshipment," he told Tempo, quoted on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The ship has been detained at Tual Base, Maluku.

The PSDKP is investigating the alleged involvement between Mitra Usaha Semesta and Run Zeng 03 and 05. Initial investigation found that the Indonesian vessel was involved in transporting, employing, and transferring crew members to the Chinese-flagged vessel.

"The crew members transported by Mitra Usaha Semesta Ship will then be transferred to work on the Run Zeng 03," he said. Over 58 crew members were employed to transfer fish cargo from Run Zeng 03 to Mitra Usaha Semesta.

During the transfer, Mitra Usaha Semesta carried 100 tonnes of fish and 150 tonnes of diesel. Meanwhile, the KKP is still searching for the Run Zeng 03 ship that escaped.

He suspects the Chinese-flagged ship is still in the waters around the Aru Sea. Wahyu stated that as many as 25 crew members transferred to the vessel chose to escape by jumping off the ship because they did not get their rights according to the employment agreement. The crew members who escaped are on Panambulu Island, and Aru Islands, with one remaining missing.

"The remaining 30 people are still on the Chinese ship," he said.

NOVALI PANJI NUGROHO

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