Minister Susi Leads Sinking of 81 Illegal Vessels Simultaneously
1 April 2017 18:06 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Minister Susi Pujiastuti led the sinking of 81 vessels involved in illegal fishing activities in 12 locations in Indonesia.
The sinking was led by Susi simultaneously through video streaming connected with 11 other locations: Aceh, Bali, Belawan, Tarempa, Natuna, Tarakan, Bitung, Ternate, Merauke, Sorong and Pontianak.
Most of the vessels are foreign vessels, including 46 vessels from Vietnam, 18 vessels from the Philippines, 11 vessels from Malaysia, as well as 6 vessels from Indonesia.
Those vessels were sunk after they were proven to commit violation of fishing within Indonesian territories without permits and using fishing equipment that can destroy sea ecosystem.
“Indonesian must not bow to the illegal fishing mafia,” Susi said in Ambon on Saturday.
The minister added waters in Eaastern Indonesia are not safe from illegal fishing practices. According to her, waters in Maluku province for example, are most vulnerable to illegal fishing.
RERE KHAIRIYAH
