JAKARTA – Since last month, the government keeps promoting the plan to make foreign illegal fishing vessels in Indonesian waters surrender by sinking the vessels.
However, until now, the government has not run the threat yet. Maritime and Fishery (KP) Minister Expert Staff, Hariyanto Marwoto, said the government still acts carefully to run the threat.
Carefulness principle is caused by the existence of United Nations (PBB) Convention about International Maritime Law. Based on the regulation, the detained foreign vessels cannot be confiscated, either the vessels or vessel crews and the government can only ask for guarantee and compensation as much as the stolen amount.
“Our Fishery Law gives mandate to sink vessels but we must be careful and refer to international regulations,” said Hariyanto on Wednesday (12/3).
Moreover, the other obstacle faced by the government is about the limited budget. To secure national maritime sovereignty, the government needs great budget. The patrol conducted by Indonesian Police’s Water Police and Indonesian Navy spends trillions rupiah budget for vessel fuel.
Even, budget cost is getting higher since the government must wait for legal process of this vessel arrestment to possess permanent legal power so execution of this regulation can be conducted. For such time, the government must bear life costs of the foreign vessel crews.
Prior to that, the government has detained five Indonesia-flagged Thailand vessels illegally captured fishes in Natuna area. However, until now, the government has not made a decision whether the vessel will be sunk or not.
Even though it is hampered by this issue, the government promised to fight against foreign fishing vessels in Indonesia. It is conducted since illegal fishing practice conducted by foreign vessels has inflicted loss up to IDR 30 trillions per year.
Representative House member from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Ono Surono, asked the government to more seriously and doubtlessly sink foreign fishing vessels. This practice is deemed valid and it has been conducted by Indonesian Navy in North Sulawesi on January 20th 2003. (Kontan)
