REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Maritime and Fishery Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti stated that the ministry and Indonesian Navy arrested 22 Chinese vessels conducting illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. The 300 gross tonnage (GT) vessels were caught on Sunday, December 7, in Arafura Sea.
"The 22 vessels conducted double flagging," Pudjiastuti said on Monday, December 8. Pudjiastuti has cooperated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to file a letter of protest to Embassy of People's Republic of China in Indonesia.
"I have asked them to contact Ambassador of People's Republic of China. We have conducted persuasive approach. We ask global commitment to combat illegal fishing," she said.
Government also caught three domestic vessels named KM Manokwari 1,2 and 3 due to invalid license. "We will revoke their Fish Catching Boat License (SIPI) and fish-transport vessel licenses (SIKPI).