Jakarta. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has reported the capture of 80 vessels involved in illegal fishing, both domestic and foreign, in the first half of 2024.

"We have seized 80 vessels this year, comprising 69 local and 11 foreign vessels," stated Pung Nugroho Saksono, Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP), speaking from Jakarta on Friday.

Pung specified that among the foreign vessels intercepted, Vietnamese ships were captured on Indonesia's western side, while Filipino vessels were apprehended on the eastern side. Recently, the Russian vessel Run Zheng 03 is under investigation. Another Russian vessel, Run Zheng 05, fled to Papua New Guinea (PNG), triggering an international alert.

"We alerted Interpol and requested their detention, capture, and negotiation for return to Indonesia from PNG," he elaborated.

Pung highlighted that cases of illegal fishing are not exclusive to foreign vessels but also involve domestic ones. Local vessels often engage in illegal fishing due to expired permits or the use of banned fishing gear. "The most vulnerable areas to illegal fishing include the waters around Natuna, North Sulawesi, Maluku, and the Arafura Sea," he emphasized.

"We are enhancing surveillance of illegal fishing through technological means. We operate a control center to monitor vessel activities, ensuring compliance with designated fishing grounds," he added.

According to Pung, KKP's surveillance strategy includes strengthening monitoring in high-risk zones, utilizing information technology, intelligence data, and public reports. Additionally, they collaborate closely with the Indonesian Navy, Police, the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), as well as international partners such as Malaysia and Australia.