Ministry Finds Serious Violations by 42 Fishing Companies
6 May 2015 14:26 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's anti-illegal fishing task force has completed the analysis and evaluation of 1,132 ex-foreign ships belonging to 187 companies with business licenses. Based on the evaluation, the task force recommends that the government revoke the licenses of 42 companies for having committed serious violations.
The violations include operating non-Indonesian vessels, having almost 100 percent foreign crew, and practicing forced labor against the crew.
Some of the companies include PT Pusaka Benjina Resources' subsidiaries PT Pusaka Bahari, PT Pusaka Benjina Armada, and PT Pusaka Benjian Nusantara. There are also companies from the PT Dwiakarya Reksa Abadi group: PT Avona Mina Lestari, PT Aru Samudra Lestari, and PT Hansen Mina Jaya.
The task force's chief Mas Ahmad Santosa told Tempo yesterday that administrative sanctions will be imposed, including the revocation of fishing license (SIPI) and fish-loading permit (SIKPI).
Minister of Maritime Susi Pudjiastuti said the office had received the recommendation to revoke said licenses. She said the ministry will also process companies that are implicated in criminal allegations.
In addition to the 42 companies whose licenses could be revoked, the task force also banned 907 ex-foreign ships from sailing, as they have no warrant for operation and have been proven to turn off their vessel monitoring system (VMS).
AMIRULLAH | DEVY ERNIS | ANDI RUSLI
