Banggai Kepulauan Marine Police Thwart Alleged Illegal Trade of 20 Tonnes of Sea Bamboo

The Marine and Air Police (Satpolairud) of the Banggai Kepulauan Police, alongside the Lobangkurung Police Sector, have uncovered an alleged illegal trade of sea bamboo and secured several protected animals during a sweeping operation in the coastal areas of Togong Sagu Village, Bangkurung District, Banggai Laut Regency, Central Sulawesi.

The operation, which took place from Sunday (17/5) to Monday (18/5), was conducted across Pulau Dua and Pulau Togopung (Pulau Masibbu). From the search results, officers seized approximately two tonnes of sea bamboo packed into 49 sacks, which were suspected of being traded illegally.

Sea bamboo, or Isis hippuris, is a group of marine biota classified as soft coral (octocorals). Since 2014, sea bamboo has been designated as a marine species receiving limited protection from the Indonesian Government via the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Following the end of the limited protection period in 2019, the Government subsequently established sea bamboo as a species receiving full protection through Ministerial Decree 8/2020.

Officers also discovered 13 green sea turtles hidden inside cages within a mangrove forest area. All the turtles were subsequently released back into their natural habitat as part of an effort to preserve the marine ecosystem, a process witnessed by local residents.

Furthermore, police secured several items suspected to be related to illegal fishing practices using fish bombs. The seized evidence includes three jerry cans containing ‘Cantik’ brand fertiliser, one plastic bottle containing fertiliser, dozens of used glass bottles, and wooden matchboxes.

The Head of Satpolairud for the Bangg_ai Kepulauan Police, Inspector Rahim Hasan, stated that all evidence has been secured at the Banggai Kepulauan Police Marine and Air Police Headquarters for further legal processing. “We emphasise that there is zero tolerance for those involved in destroying the marine ecosystem and trading protected wildlife in our region,” he asserted on Tuesday (19/5).

Currently, the Law Enforcement Unit of the Banggai Kepulauan Marine and Air Police is continuing the investigation by examining several witnesses and gathering information from coastal communities. Police also admitted to having identified the suspects, who are believed to have fled before the operation commenced.