Durian. An Indonesian patrol boat has captured a Malaysian-flag illegal fishing boat at Malacca Strait on Sept. 22, the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) said in a statement on Sept.24.
“We confirm the capture of a foreign illegal fishing boat with Malaysian flag at Malacca Strait,” TB Haeru Rahayu, director general for marine and fisheries resources monitoring at KKP said.
The fishing vessel was using trawl which is not allowed under Indonesian regulations.
Four Indonesian crews were onboard the fishing boat. Investigators found from initial interrogation that two Indonesian crews were getting into the ship illegally at the sea, while the two others were working there by using tourist visa.
“We realize that fishermen have rights to work including onboard of foreign vessels as long as accordance with procedures. However, when they involve in stealing fishes from Indonesia territory, it should be prevented,” Rahayu said.
Total 72 illegal fishing boats were captured by KKP’s patrol boats from October 2019 up to Sept.22 which 17 of them were using Indonesian flags. The origin of those foreign fishing boats were from Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan.
