Navy Sink Two More Foreign Fishing Vessels

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has sunk two more foreign fishing vessels for poaching in Indonesian waters. "The two Papua New Guinea-registered fishing vessels were impounded on Tuesday (Dec 9) and sunk today (Dec 21)," TNI AL spokesman Col. Suradi Agung Slamet said on Sunday. The two fishing vessels, called Century 4 and Century 7, were found fishing illegally in Arafuru waters, Maluku province. Century 4 carried 43 tons of fish and Century 7 carried 20 tons of fish when they were impounded, he said. On December 5, the Navy also sank two fishing vessels flying Vietnamese flag in the waters off Anambas Island, Riau Islands province. The government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is committed to taking the strongest possible action against foreign illegal fishing vessels, warning that Indonesia will not hesitate to even sink them if necessary. Following reports that at least 5.5 thousand vessels indulged in illegal fishing and inflicted a loss of Rp300 trillion per year on the state, Jokowi has stated that the concerned authorities will sink the fishing boats poaching in Indonesian waters, albeit after firstly taking their crew into custody. Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief General Moeldoko revealed that the TNI has been looking for the best possible way to sink foreign vessels found fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. "Following Jokowi's instruction to sink foreign illegal fishing vessels, I have requested the Navy chief of staff to find the best possible way to carry out the president's order," Moeldoko noted. (*) Reporting by Edy M Ya'kub