REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Maritime and Fishery Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti stated that the ministry and Indonesian Navy were ready to sink seven illegal vessels conducting fishing in Indonesian waters. The vessels have been processed legally and pleaded guilty.

"We are ready to execute," Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Surveillance (PSDKP) at the ministry, Asep Burhanudin, said on Thursday, December 18.

Six of the seven vessels were caught in Pontianak. Five of them are from Thailand, while another one is from Vietnam. Meanwhile, another vessel is caught in Batam. 

Minister Susi also announced that the navy detected 22 Chinese illegal vessels in Arafura Sea last week. However, only nine were caught. Eight of them were taken to Maluku. Another one was forcedly taken to Merauke. She explained that the 13 vessels got away as the Navy lack of personnel.

Apart from that, the ministry has found other 13 Chinese illegal vessels in several plaves in Indonesia. Pudjiastuti urged President Jokowi to take action toward the 13 illegal vessels. 

"Chase them. We have suffered big loses," she said.

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