Susi Giving Deterrent Effect on Illegal Fishing
Susi Giving Deterrent Effect on Illegal Fishing
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JAKARTA - A resolute step was again shown by the Indonesian government against foreign fishing boats caught illegally operating in the countrys waters. Thirty one fishing boats sank after being exploded in separate areas at the same time in the country early this week.
The 31 boats brought the number to 152 units of fishing boats sunk by the government for illegal operation in the countrys waters since Oct. 2014. The firm steps is expected to serve as a deterrent for foreign fishing boats not to cross the border into the Indonesian waters.
For years in the past Indonesian waters had become almost a free fishing ground for all foreign fishing boats. The government said the country suffered a potential loss of hundreds of trillions of rupiah a year in stolen fishes.
The new government with its Marine and Fisheries Minister, Susi Pudjiastuti, however, shocked the world especially neighboring countries when for the first time exploded a number of fishing boats and were left sinking in the sea.
The measure was to show that the government was serious in its warning that it is no longer safe for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. Sinking fishing boats caught operating illegally in Indonesian water territory was the first major policy of the woman minister.
A number of fishing boats were exploded and were left to sink in the sea in October 2014 only days after the present government effectively took over power. Many doubted that the government was serious with its step, saying the new minister was only bluffing. Weak law enforcement was partly responsible for the rampant illegal fishing in the country. The law authorities were easily bribed. Court generally punished suspects in illegal fishing only with a fine and then let them go.
"If the punishment only with a fine of hundreds of millions of rupiahs it is too lenient for a foreign fishing boat. Therefore, we must be firm in our measure by sinking them," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Resources Rizal Ramli said.
Rizal Ramli lauded the series of controversial measures Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has taken.
"Ms Susi has taken good steps though controversial," he said.
He said sinking fishing boats found illegally fishing in Indonesian waters was an effective step to deter illegal fishing. Though dilemmatic, the measure is needed as a shock therapy, he added. If the boats were offered in an open auction, as had been the practice in previous years, the old owners would most likely be the winners and regain their boats, Rizal Ramli said.
The 31 boats brought the number to 152 units of fishing boats sunk by the government for illegal operation in the countrys waters since Oct. 2014. The firm steps is expected to serve as a deterrent for foreign fishing boats not to cross the border into the Indonesian waters.
For years in the past Indonesian waters had become almost a free fishing ground for all foreign fishing boats. The government said the country suffered a potential loss of hundreds of trillions of rupiah a year in stolen fishes.
The new government with its Marine and Fisheries Minister, Susi Pudjiastuti, however, shocked the world especially neighboring countries when for the first time exploded a number of fishing boats and were left sinking in the sea.
The measure was to show that the government was serious in its warning that it is no longer safe for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters. Sinking fishing boats caught operating illegally in Indonesian water territory was the first major policy of the woman minister.
A number of fishing boats were exploded and were left to sink in the sea in October 2014 only days after the present government effectively took over power. Many doubted that the government was serious with its step, saying the new minister was only bluffing. Weak law enforcement was partly responsible for the rampant illegal fishing in the country. The law authorities were easily bribed. Court generally punished suspects in illegal fishing only with a fine and then let them go.
"If the punishment only with a fine of hundreds of millions of rupiahs it is too lenient for a foreign fishing boat. Therefore, we must be firm in our measure by sinking them," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Resources Rizal Ramli said.
Rizal Ramli lauded the series of controversial measures Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has taken.
"Ms Susi has taken good steps though controversial," he said.
He said sinking fishing boats found illegally fishing in Indonesian waters was an effective step to deter illegal fishing. Though dilemmatic, the measure is needed as a shock therapy, he added. If the boats were offered in an open auction, as had been the practice in previous years, the old owners would most likely be the winners and regain their boats, Rizal Ramli said.
(rnz)
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