Fajarasia.co – The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) stopped the action of 3 (three) fishermen from Malaysia who were suspected of bombing fish in the Republic of Indonesia State Fisheries Management Area (WPPNRI) 716 Sulawesi Sea, Wednesday (18/5/2022). The stoppage was marked by a chase between Indonesian officials and the perpetrators.
The Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision, Rear Admiral TNI Adin Nurawaluddin said that the fish bombing action was successfully stopped by Nunukan PSDKP officers during a patrol in the Sulawesi Sea waters.
“Based on initial information, these three fishermen from Malaysia are suspected of catching fish in the waters of the Sulawesi Sea using bombs,” said Adin in a written statement, Saturday (21/5/2022).
Adin said that the boat or long boat manned by the three fishermen had run away when they met the officer’s speed boat. The chase continued for approximately 15 minutes until the speed boat belonging to the Nunukan PSDKP officer managed to stop the boat of the perpetrator.
“During the inspection, evidence was found indicating the bombing of fish by the perpetrators,” said Adin.
Apart from 1 (one) boat, other evidence found in the form of 1 (one) compressor unit, 1 (one) ketinting unit, 150 meters long compressor hose, 3 (three) detonators, 2 (two) diving goggles, 3 (three) fins or frog legs, and 1 (one) yellow fish.
Adin further said that the three suspects with the initials JL, PJ, and MJ were then taken to the Nunukan SDKP Supervision Unit for further investigation. Adin ensured that the three suspects would be given sanctions according to the type of violation committed.
“Not only illegal fishing, the KKP strictly prohibits all fishing activities in a destructive way, because not only big fish die, small fish also die. Moreover, the use of fish bombs can damage corals, which makes marine resources unsustainable,” said Adin.
With the capture of these vessels, a total of 75 vessels have been caught, consisting of 6 Malaysian-flagged foreign fishing vessels and 1 Philippine-flagged foreign fishing vessel. The KKP also secured 66 Indonesian fishing vessels that violated the provisions and 2 Indonesian sand dredgers that carried out tin sand mining without a PKKPRL permit.
Previously, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, had stated his commitment to managing marine and fishery resources in Indonesia through the Blue Economy principle.
This principle is fully oriented towards the sustainability of marine and fishery resources through the efficiency of natural resources, so that exploitation does not occur, balances economic and social values, so that it does not only focus on profit, and is environmentally friendly and sustainable so as not to damage the ecology.****
