Indonesian maritime police have detained two Vietnamese-flagged fishing vessels, allegedly responsible for poaching in the Natuna Utara region for nearly two decades.
The apprehension, managed by the Korps Kepolisian Air and Udara Badan Pemeliharaan Keamanan Kepolisian Republik Indonesia (Korpolairud Baharkam Polri), took place on the 26th of August when two vessels were detected fishing without valid documentation.
18 Crew Members Detained Eighteen Vietnamese crew members were taken into custody, including two skippers and sixteen crewmen. The police also confiscated 500 kilograms of mixed fish and two sets of trawl nets.
Illicit Night Operations
The vessels, identified as KG 93824 TS and KG 93825 TS, operated under the cover of darkness, retreating from Indonesian waters by dawn to evade patrolling authorities.
Coast Guard Vietnam’s Intervention
During the apprehension, the operation faced delays due to the interference of the Coast Guard Vietnam, which aimed to safeguard the poaching vessels.
Shocking Confession from Captured Crew
Interrogations revealed that these vessels had been poaching in Indonesian waters for 17 years, capturing approximately 540 tons of fish annually, amounting to a value of IDR 435 billion.
Natuna: A Poaching Hotspot
Turman Hardianto Maha, Head of PSDKP Batam, emphasized that the Natuna waters are a primary target for Vietnamese fishermen due to a high demand for fish products in Vietnam, which exceeds their local marine resources.
This crackdown sheds light on the rampant illegal fishing that potentially affects marine ecosystems and fish stocks. It’s a wake-up call for Singaporeans and international visitors, emphasizing the importance of marine conservation. Singapore, being a major hub for seafood, needs to be vigilant about the sources of its imports to ensure sustainability and legal compliance.
Two Vietnamese fishing boats, involved in a 17-year illegal fishing operation in Indonesia’s Natuna Utara waters, were seized by Indonesian authorities. The act underscores the critical challenges in marine conservation and the need for international vigilance and cooperation.
Source: Batam Pos (2023)
