ASIATODAY.ID, BIAK – Indonesian marine have once again become a target of illegal fishing activities by foreign vessels. Two fishing boats flying the Philippine flag were caught red-handed operating unlawfully in the northern Pacific ocean off Papua, within Indonesia’s Fisheries Management Area 717.
The arrest was carried out by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries through an intensive maritime patrol. The two vessels, identified as FB TWIN J-04 (130 GT) and FB YANREYD-293 (116 GT), were found operating without official permits and carrying tuna and skipjack catches.
“All crew members are Philippine nationals and the vessels had no fishing licenses issued by the Indonesian government,” said Pung Nugroho Saksono, Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance, during a statement in Biak on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Beyond violating international and national regulations, these vessels deployed a sophisticated hit-and-run strategy—fishing along Indonesia’s maritime border and quickly fleeing beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to evade patrol detection.
The TWIN J-04 was found to have just transferred 10 kilograms of freshly caught fish to the YANREYD-293, which served as a carrier vessel and already held approximately 5 tons of fish. The interception was executed by Monitoring Vessel Hiu Macan 04, commanded by Jendri Erwin Mamahit.
“This modus operandi makes detection difficult, but our team aboard the Hiu Macan 04 succeeded in stopping them,” said Saiful Umam, Director of Fleet Operation Control at PSDKP.
The successful operation not only halted illegal activity but also prevented significant financial loss. The government estimates that IDR 50.4 billion (approx. USD 3.1 million) in potential losses were averted.
The case is currently under criminal investigation by PSDKP’s Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) in Biak. The vessel captains have been named as suspects, and under Law No. 6 of 2023 (related to the Omnibus Law), they face up to six years in prison and fines of up to IDR 30 billion (approx. USD 1.9 million).
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, emphasized Indonesia’s firm stance on eradicating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Through the Blue Economy policy, the government is strengthening its marine surveillance to ensure sustainability and protect the livelihoods of local fishermen.
“Illegal fishing poses a serious threat to our sovereignty and marine resources. There will be no compromise,” Minister Trenggono stated. (AT Network)
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