REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PONTIANAK -- The maritime affairs and fisheries ministry has sunk 54 ships for poaching in Indonesian waters.

"Some 54 ships have been sunk in 2015, and the ministry will continue with these efforts. The Indonesian Navy has sunk 49 ships. So, in total, 91 ships have been sunk along with four by the Navy in Tarakan, four in Batam, and one in Aceh tomorrow," Abdur Rouf Sam, the secretary of the ministry's directorate general for fishery and maritime resources supervision, remarked at Sungai Rengas seaport, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, after observing the sinking of ships.

Some 117 ships are currently being processed legally either by the ministry, Navy, or other parties.

Most of the ships were caught in South China Sea or around the waters of Natuna and Arafura.

Four Vietnamese ships were among those sunk on Monday (Oct. 19) in Pontianak. When apprehended by the authorities for poaching in Indonesian waters, two were carrying five tons each of fish aboard, while the two others had 230 kilograms each.

Indonesia has incurred material losses and environmental damage due to illegal fishing activities.

Therefore, Indonesia is determined to impose stringent sanctions against the perpetrators of the crimes to serve as a deterrent to other poachers.

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