JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Spokesperson of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) First Admiral Manahan Simorangkir, in a press release, revealed that the Navy has sunk 35 empty illegal foreign fishing boats, including from Malaysia, on Wednesday (May. 20).
Manahan revealed that the 35 empty illegal fishing boats were sunk in five different locations, 15 boats in Bitung (North Sulawesi), 17 boats in Ranai (Natuna, Riau Islands), 1 boat in Belawan (Medan, North Sumatra), 1 boat in Tanjung Balai Asahan (North Sumatra), and 1 boat in Lhokseumawe (Aceh).
Mahanan explained that the decision to sink the 35 illegal fishing boats is accordance to Article 69 paragraph 4 of the Fisheries Law No. 45/2009. Manahan, moreover, also revealed that the Navy has secured an approval from the local District Court to sink said illegal fishing boats.
Previously, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said his order to sink foreign fishing ships captured in Indonesian waters is a firm order to show that Indonesia is now serious in combating illegal fishing. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)