Indonesia Seizes Five Foreign Fishing Vessels for Illegal Fishing

Jakarta: Indonesia’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has apprehended four Philippine-flagged vessels and one Malaysian-flagged vessel for allegedly fishing illegally in the country’s waters. The vessels were seized in the Pacific Ocean and the Malacca Strait, as reported by a senior official from the ministry on Thursday.

According to Pung Nugroho Saksono, the ministry’s Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, the four Philippine-flagged vessels were captured separately on Friday and Saturday while operating in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Over 30 individuals, including captains and crew members, were aboard these vessels at the time of their apprehension by the ministry’s patrol boat.

The Malaysian-flagged vessel was caught on Monday in the Malacca Strait, with its crew consisting of a captain and three members. Saksono mentioned that all the vessels were engaged in poaching activities using prohibited trawlers.

Since January, the Indonesian ministry has been actively monitoring and enforcing regulations against illegal fishing, resulting in the seizure of 21 foreign-flagged vessels for similar activities. This ongoing effort reflects Indonesia’s commitment to protecting its marine resources and ensuring compliance with fishing regulations within its waters.