Antara, Jakarta – The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has captured six fishing vessels – flying the Philippines and Vietnam flags – that have allegedly committed illegal fishing over the North Natuna Sea and Sulawesi waters.

Director General of Maritime and Fishery Resources Supervision, Rear Admiral Adin Nurawaluddin says that five of the fishing vessels were from the Philippines and one was from Vietnam.

"The operation at sea was part of the integrated monitoring attempt from our surveillance technology, which worked. Our commitment to guarding the sea will never back down," said Adin in an official statement on Monday from the Riau Islands.

The apprehended fishing boats were also equipped with 'pair trawls' and their payloads which were estimated to weigh 500 kilograms, which are now docked at the Anambas monitoring unit. Indonesian authorities have also apprehended 13 seamen from the Philippines and are undergoing further investigations.

The foreign illegal fishing vessels that have been confiscated will likely be restored to then be utilized for local fishermen as mandated by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry rules.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1713266/6-foreign-illegal-fishing-vessels-nabbed-over-natuna-se