REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, By: Toni Ervianto *)
Indonesia has arrested 29 foreign-flagged boats for allegedly fishing illegally in domestic waters in July, a minister has said. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said that the vessels were mostly apprehended when they were sailing in Natuna waters in Riau Islands and hailed from neighboring countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Apart from fishing without legal documents, the vessels were found to have used prohibited fishing equipment.
"Customs and excise officers seized several pieces of evidence, such as 57 tons of fertilizer for fish bombing. The National Police also seized 2 tons [of fertilizer] in the Pangkajene Islands [Pangkep] and 1 ton on an uninhabited island around the islands," Susi said. The confiscated fertilizer was allegedly brought into the country by Malaysian fishermen, the minister said.
Susi said at least four to five boats weighing about 50 gross tons (GT) were carrying fish bombs into the country's territorial waters every month, in which they sailed to Selayar Islands in South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, Bawean Island in East Java, until Raja Ampat in West Papua.
Susi said the National Police and the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) were investigating further to determine whether the fishermen had intended to use the bombs for fishing activities or use them for terrorism-related purposes.
Despite the government's efforts to ban fish bombs, the use of them has continued in domestic waters. Susi said officials would continue to spread awareness, especially among fishermen in fishing zones, on the need to stop destructive fishing activities.
The wide publicity on the sinking of vessels involved in illegal fishing is aimed at sending a strong message in that Indonesia has a stern stance against this unlawful action. The government wanted to create a deterrent effect whereas if illegal fishing was handled softly, it would not have the desired effect.
"Why publicize the sinking of vessels? Illegal fishing, right now, almost seems like the norm. I want to work together with all the relevant authorities and the ministry to eradicate this problem. And, to deliver a shocking and frightening impression," Susi said during a working meeting at the House of Representatives' Commission IV overseeing forestry, agriculture, plantations and fisheries, as quoted by Antara news agency.
By sinking the vessels involved in illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, the government wants to imprint a shocking message. "It can be seen how the ships are set alight, so that fear is created. Hopefully in future there will be no more [illegal fishing]," she said.
Citing data from the ministry, Susi said 176 ships have already been sunk, meanwhile budget expenditures have remained under Rp 2 billion. The expenditure was necessary to prevent the sinking of the vessels causing pollution, Susi added. Since her inauguration as minister in 2014, Susi has consistently taken a tough stance on maritime policies.
The wives and children of the imprisoned fishermen who were punished under the 2015 Maritime Ministerial Regulation on the prohibition of the use of fishing trawls and seine nets, brought with them written requests for the freedom of their husbands. The family members claim the fishermen were left no choice but to break the law in order to provide for their families.
Depending Our Maritime Natural Resources
I think the efforts which done by Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to depending our maritime natural resources from illegal fishing which done by foreign vessels or undocumented domestic vessels must be continued because we are realizing that our natural resources specially which come from maritime sector can be became our next investation to facing a global rude competition.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, one of Indonesia’s minister who has bravery against illegal fishing and another maritime violation especially which done by foreign vessels.
Furthermore, through coordinating with Indonesia’s navy, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has been sinking a number of allegedly illegal fishing preprators vessels. I think her efforts can be proud Indonesian society because we have a national leader who has a big concern to protect our natural resources from foreign exploitation actions.
Susi has consistently taken a tough stance on maritime policies. The rumors said many illegal fishing operator or corporation didn’t unhappy since Susi has sworn as Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister since 2014, so they had been made manuevre to make Susi could be resign from her position with all of illegal fishing corporation would be paid her approxiamately Rp 5 trillion.
Sinking illegal fishing vessels especially from Malaysia, Phillipines, Vietnam and another countries which had been stolen our maritime natural resources need to continued. The announcement about foreign vessels which had been stolen in our exclusive economic zone should be taken, because it could be treatened as “shaming policy”. Jokowi should be proud having a minister who is brave, firm, tough and steadfastness to implementing a nationalism policy.
By sinking the vessels involved in illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, the government wants to imprint a shocking message. It can be seen how the ships are set alight, so that fear is created. Hopefully in future there will be no more illegal fishing.
All of Indonesian’s people having a hope that all of minister who had been sworn to subserve these country could be done their task with successfully as which has been done by Susi Pudjiastuti. We aren’t never hear again about the failure of minister as if they didn’t never swear before. We hope all of minister must take an extra ordinary efforts to subserve their country with a best efforts which can be done by them. Hopefully.
*) The writer is an current issues observer. Previously he earned his bachelor degree from University of Jember (Unej) and his master at the University of Indonesia (UI).
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