51 fishermen killed in two years

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Over the last two years, 51 fishermen have died in clashes with crew members of trawlers illegally operating in waters off North Sumatra's coast, a local non- governmental organization said on Monday.

"In these clashes, fishermen often fall victim to the trawlers' crews because they have guns," said the coordinator of the North Sumatra Fishermen Action Group, Lahmuddin Tampubolon, who led a group of fishermen to the local council to protest plans to legalize the operation of the trawlers.

These trawlers have been cutting into the catch of traditional fishermen, according the group.

Environmentalists accuse the trawlers' of using nets designed for deep-sea fishing in shallow waters, causing damage to coral reefs and the fish population.

Suriana, the wife of a fisherman, said trawlers often rammed the boats of traditional fishermen. "Our husbands are risking their lives just by trying to catch fish," she said.

"What we don't understand is that we have never heard of any crew members from the trawlers being arrested for fighting with fishermen. Instead, it's the fishermen who are often arrested at sea," Lahmuddin said.

To avoid these clashes, he said, fishermen need a special fishing area set aside for them.

Councillor Zahrin Piliang acknowledge that law enforcement at sea was weak. He said police patrols at sea would be intensified, explaining that the council had approved Rp 5 billion (about US$561,000) in additional funding to this end. -- JP