REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said Indonesia would continue to act firmly against illegal fishing in its waters. Indonesia will remain firm and would not compromise on crime of illegal fishing, Susi said here on Friday.
The minister made the statement when asked to comment on a Sabang district court decision slapping a fine on a Russian skipper Matveev Aleksandr. Matveev Aleksandr (56) is the skipper of the fishing boat the STS-50, a law fugitive of Interpol.
Susi said illegal fishing in any form is a violation of the sovereignty of a country and Indonesia is strongly against it. She described the court verdict as a progressive decision effective in deterring illegal fishing in Indonesian sea territory.
Acting Director General of Supervision of Fisheries and Marine Resources Nilanto Perbowo said the STS 50 has committed illegal fishing in a number of countries. It fled Mozambique and China before finally arrested by the Indonesian Navy.
The Sabang district court fined the Russian skipper Rp200 million or a jail term of four months. Presiding Judge Zulfikar SH, MH said in his verdict Matveev Aleksandr was found guilty of a crime, illegally operating in Indonesian fishing ground.
The STS-50 and IMO 8514772 with 30 crew members, are both in the Interpol list of law fugitives caught by the Indonesian Navy in the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone on 6 April, 2018.
The Indonesian government has adopted a tough policy against illegal fishing exploding more than 300 foreign fishing ship found illegally operating in Indonesian waters over the past four years.
The policy succeeded in deterring foreign fishing vessel from operating illegally in Indonesian waters.
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