Four Thai Fishing Boats Caught While Poaching off Aceh

Medan, N Sumatra (Antara) - Four Thai fishing boats were caught while poaching in the sea off eastern Aceh by the the Indonesian maritime authorities. The KM Kasiasin I (80 GT), KM Kasiasin 2 (80 GT), KM Chayanon 1 (80 GT) and KM Chayanon 2 (80 GT)were caught on Thursday afternoon, the maritime and fishery resources director general Syahrin Abdurrahman said in Belawan on Saturday. The boats were caught with 36 crewmen including 8 Thai and 28 Myanmar citizens. The fishing boats, which had no operational permit used trawls which are banned in Indonesia. Syahrin said Indonesian maritime authorities (KKP)have been told to act firmly against illegal operation of foreign fishing boats in the country as poaching has caused big loss to the state. Small fishermen were the hardest hit by the illegal operation of foreign fishing boats, he said. He said the four ships were detained for legal investigation in the North Sumatra port city of Belawan. He said in 2013, KKP has detained 56 ships mostly foreign fishing ships operating illegally in Indonesian waters. They included Malaysian, Philippine,Vietnamese and Thai ships. He said poaching is still rampant in Indonesian waters, therefore KKP needs support.(*) (A. Saragih/A. Abdussalam)