KKP Arrested Vietnamese Fishing Boat in North Natuna Sea
- VIVA.co.id/Sherly (Tangerang)
Jakarta, VIVA – The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has arrested 9 crew members and one foreign fishing vessel (KIA) from Vietnam in the North Natuna Sea after the vessel and its crew engaged in illegal fishing activities.
"The ORCA 03 Patrol Vessel successfully intercepted, inspected, and detained one illegal foreign fishing vessel (KIA) flying the Vietnamese flag, BV 93481 TS," said Pung Nugroho Saksono, Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) on Wednesday (Aug 21).
The foreign vessel was not equipped with valid fishing permits and was using prohibited trawl fishing gear.
This surveillance operation was a follow-up to reports from Natuna fishermen, who informed authorities about the presence of a foreign fishing vessel engaged in fishing activities in the North Natuna Sea.
"Evidence includes 1 unit BV 93481 TS (120 GT) with 9 foreign crew members who are Vietnamese nationals, carrying approximately 1 ton of mixed fish," Saksono explained.
He added, "This illegal fishing activity could have caused losses of IDR 1.1 billion, but it has been prevented."
The foreign vessel was immediately directed to the PSDKP base in Batam, where the Fisheries Civil Service Investigators (PPNS) will take strict action and enforce the law in accordance with regulation.