JAYAPURA, Kompas – Papua Police named Nguyeng Trong Nhan (24), the skipper of Vietnamese vessel Thank Cong, as a suspect in illegal fishing practice in the waters of Raja Ampat Regency in January 19th. Nguyeng and 11 vessel crews have illegally fished 45 turtoises, hundreds of shark fins of 2,100 kilograms, five manta rays and manta ray tails of 586 kilograms.
“They used trawl net to conduct their action. Nguyeng was proven to violate Article 93 Clause 2 of Law No. 45/2009 about fishery and he has to serve six years in prison,” said Papua Police Spokesman, Comm. Patrige Renwarin, in Jayapura on Thursday (1/22).
Patrige said Nguyeng was named suspect of this case since he is a skipper operating the vessel to illegally fish in Indonesian waters. “The 11 vessel crews did not know they have entered Indonesian waters. Therefore, they were only witnesses in this case. After investigation, we will deport them to their countries,” he said.
The 55-GT vessel has not been sunk. Papua Police is awaiting case lawsuit process to the court. “If the court does not need all physical evidences, we will sink the vessel,” Patrige said.
Papua Fisherman and Farmer Contact Advocacy Chairman, Iriansyah, as contacted by Kompas said local government and police officers should directly sink the foreign vessel conducting illegal fishing in Papua waters.
“Papuan fishermen are harmed by illegal fishing conducted by foreign vessels. However, in Vietnamese vessel case, I think the policy issued by KP Minister, Susi Pudjiastuti, is still rhetoric,” Iriansyah said.
Lack of Facility
Patrige said there are some areas in Papuan waters targeted by foreign fishing vessels namely Raja Ampat, Arafura, Biak, and Natuna. However, his office has not been able to conduct patrol to those areas due to lack of facility.
“The sailing ability of the vessels owned by Papua Police’s Water Police Directorate is under 12 miles whereas, Papua has spacious waters. We expected for facility aid from central government,” he said.
Papua Maritime and Fishery Department’s Cultured and Captured Fishery Head, Agustinus Agung Prihantoro, also said his office cannot prevent illegal fishing since there are no patrol vessels.
“Several years ago, we have a patrol vessel operated in Merauke Regency. The 30-GT vessel can detain countless foreign vessels conducting illegal fishing in Arafura. However, suddenly, the vessel was returned to KP Ministry in 2012,” he said. (Kompas)
