REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti said crimes in the fishery sector have become more sophisticated, requiring closer coordination and cooperation among countries to check these. "Right now, the pattern of crimes has become more sophisticated and involves more countries. Therefore, cooperation between countries is needed to deal with illegal fishing," she stated in a written statement received here on Wednesday.
She reminded that such crimes were not limited to illegal fishing. She noted that in the past two years, her office along with joint teams from Task Force 115, has analyzed and investigated these crimes in the fishery sector, besides enforcing the law. "At times, a boat may carry crew whose members may belong to different countries. Such a boat may carry flags from 20 countries. Indeed, such crimes have multinational aspects and Interpol needs to play a role," she explained.
Illegal fishing is not only about fish poaching but is also related to slavery, narcotic drugs, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and rare animals that are smuggled from one country to another, she added. Susi reminded that Indonesia, under the leadership of President Joko Widodo, has adopted a firm stance against crimes in the sea and is seeking to ensure that the sea plays a major role in the country's future.
The minister hoped Interpol will be able to continue and strengthen its role in facilitating member countries to overcome challenges in the fight against organized transnational criminal networks in the fishery sector.
She earlier invited Russia to join in the efforts to eradicate fish poaching going on in various regions across the globe, including in Indonesia. "I hope Indonesia and Russia can cooperate to eradicate illegal fishing. I believe such crime is not only the problem of Indonesia but also that of Russia," she underlined at the Indonesia-Russia Business Forum here on Oct 31.
She stressed that Indonesia is one of the strategic partners of Russia in the economic field and the Indonesian fishery sector is one that can potentially attract investors from Russia.
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