Fisherman Carrying Homemade Fish Bombs Arrested in Kupang Waters

DITPOLAIRUD Polda Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) arrested a fisherman suspected of carrying homemade fish bombs in the waters off Desa Akle, Kecamatan Semau Selatan, Kabupaten Kupang. Director of Polairud Polda NTT, Kombes Irwan Nasution, said the case was uncovered following reports from the public about activity involving fishing using explosives in the Semau waters. “Our personnel immediately conducted surveillance and collected statements after receiving information from the public regarding suspected fishing using explosives,” Irwan told reporters in Kupang on Saturday, 23 May. The suspect, named Sahrul Moy, 27, a fisherman from Dusun IV Danu Luli, Desa Akle, Kecamatan Semau, Kabupaten Kupang. Irwan explained that at around 05:20 WITA on Saturday, Intelair personnel saw a man carrying a basket and a wooden paddle towards a boat in the vicinity of Desa Akle. Officers then searched the man’s belongings. “From the checks, three bottles of beer containing homemade fish bombs and three detonator fuses were found,” he said. Subsequently, at around 07:37 WITA, the suspect was secured and taken to the Ditpolairud Polda NTT headquarters aboard the Pomana RIB and the KP Treweng XXII-3002 for further questioning. In addition, police confiscated several pieces of evidence including three bottles of homemade fish bombs, three detonator fuses, one green sampan, one wooden paddle, one snorkelling mask, one fish harpoon, one fishing line spool, and one mobile phone. Irwan stressed that using explosives to catch fish is dangerous, damages the marine ecosystem and violates the law. Therefore, authorities will continue to increase patrols in the NTT waters. “As of today, the suspect and the evidence have been secured at the Mako Ditpolairud Polda NTT for further examination,” he said. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) again demonstrates its commitment to protecting Indonesia’s marine resources by thwarting acts of fish theft in the North Natuna Sea. During IAFSF, participants shared up-to-date information on the challenges faced by Indonesia and Australia in cross-border illegal fishing. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) successfully captured three illegal fishing vessels detected operating illegally in the Natuna Sea and the Malacca Strait. This arrest demonstrates the swift actions of KKP officers in eradicating illegal fishing practices in the RI-Philippines border waters. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) also disciplined nine Indonesian fishing vessels (KII) for breaches of business licensing regulations in Batam, Belawan, and Makassar.