REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) is set to receive ten ships from the Indonesian Navy as initial assets to help eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

"The Indonesian Navy will loan ten ships as initial assets to preserve maritime security and safety soon," the Coordinating Minister of Maritime Indroyono Soesilo said here on Friday.

According to Indroyono, the Bakamla came into operation following the President Decree No 178/2014, issued to deal with illegal poaching.

"Bakamla has been recently established. We want to enhance the system information that has integrated command control. Later on, the information which is collected will be directed to Bakamla," Indroyono stated.

The Chief of Bakamla, Vice Admiral Desi Albert Mamahit said several related parties have proposed loaning some assets to help in the anti-illegal fishing effort.

"The Navy will grant ten ships, the Fisheries and Maritime Ministry will loan three to five vessels and the Maritime Coordinating Ministry intends to send four vessels. We hope that in the next five years we have about 50 to 60 ships," Mamahit said.

According to Mamahit, Bakamla itself only had three ships till date. However, the institution has gotten assistance in terms of ships from the Waters Police, Navy and other institutions.

"During the next two weeks, we will coordinate for 30 ships to be operated at several locations, which are prone to illegal fishing, including in the Batam, Manado and Ambon waters," Mamahit revealed.

Mamahit said the agency will coordinate with the Navy, Waters Police and Customs Directorate General to eradicate illegal fishing.

"We will develop all capabilities for an early warning system (EWS) that will be operated, based on the data from the EWS itself," Mamahit said.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika