TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti urges UN country members to include the practice of illegal fishing as a transnational organized crime. She said that at the United Nation Ocean conference.
“We must admit that Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is related to the organized transnational crime. It’s usually backed by an organized group,” Susi said Thursday, June 15.
She argues that Indonesia has become the witness of several human rights violations such as cases of human trafficking, child slavery, until physical and sexual violation that take place onboard fishing boats.
Minister Susi reminded UN country members to not let illegal fishing practices freely take place around the globe. The practice not only significantly reduces the global fish supply, but it has also shown real threats of marine extinction, she said.
The President of UN General Assembly Peter Thompson supports Susi's call. “We try our best through this (UN) ocean conference, but this (decision) will also depend on everyone's support.”
Norway and the Interpol also support Minister Susi’s call to eradicate illegal fishing.
MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI
