Indonesia, Australia and Timor Leste Handle Unregulated Fishing Activities

Manado, N Sulawesi (Antara) - Indonesia has agreed to cooperate with Australia and Timor Leste to deal with unreported and unregulated fishing activities, marine pollution and impacts of climate change in Arafuru and Timor Seas, a minister said. The trilateral efforts were aimed at resolving the existing problems and anticipate the degradation of marine habitats and environment quality, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif Cicip Sutardjo said here Thursday. In dealing with the issues, Indonesia respects international regimes governing the responsible fishing practices, he told newsmen after the signing of a joint declaration on the trilateral cooperation. Indonesia, he further said, would pay a special attention to the Arafuru and Timor Seas due to their function as the productive fishing areas and their important role in making locals prosper. The authorities of the three countries had pledged to integrate scientific and environmental considerations into their decision making process, Sutardjo said. Meanwhile, Timor Leste's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Mariano Assanami Sabino said the trilateral cooperation was so necessary because the government could assist its people living in coastal areas to improve their prosperity. Australian ambassador Greg Moriarty also welcomed this cooperation saying that it would give positive impacts to his country. The signing ceremony was witnessed by representatives of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, as well as North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang. (*) Reported by Joyce Bukarakombang