Indonesia Will Sink Three Illegal Fishing Vessels on Saturday: Minister

Jakarta (Antara) - Authorities will sink three foreign-flagged illegal fishing vessels next Saturday (Dec 7), Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno said here on Thursday. "This is a tough move by the Indonesian government against illegal fishing activities in our territory," Tedjo stated after meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace here on Thursday. According to him, authorities had earlier seized three ships allegedly fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. After thorough investigations, authorities came to the conclusion that the crew of the three ships had indeed been illegally fishing and therefore will be held guilty of violating regulations in Indonesia. The three ships will be sunk in Anambas waters in Riau island area. "It can be burnt or blasted. The message here is that nobody can violate our regulation," noted Tedjo. Earlier, the Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief General Moeldoko remarked that the TNI was looking for the best possible way to sink foreign vessels fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. "I have ordered the Naval chief of staff to find the best possible way in accordance with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's instruction to sink foreign illegal fishing vessels in Indonesian waters so as not to reap global criticism," Moeldoko stated.(*)