Fisherman in Semau, East Nusa Tenggara Arrested by Police for Attempted Fish Bombing

A fisherman named Sahrul Moy was arrested by the police. The reason: the 24-year-old man intended to set off a fish bomb in the waters off Akle Village, Semau District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

“The suspect along with the evidence has been secured at the Mako Ditpolairud Polda NTT for further processing,” said Kombes Irwan Deffi Nasution, Director of the Ditpolairud Polda NTT, to detikBali, on Saturday (23/5/2026).

Irwan explained the arrest began when Ditpolairud Polda NTT personnel received information about fish-bombing activity around those waters on Thursday (21/5). After receiving the report, several personnel were deployed to monitor the illegal fishing activity.

Eventually, Sahrul was seen carrying a basket along with a wooden paddle toward a boat in those waters on Saturday morning. Officers approached the fisherman and checked his belongings.

The officers found three improvised glass bottles of fish bombs and three detonating fuses. Police also secured a boat, paddle, fishing spear, a spool of fishing line, and a mobile phone from Sahrul.

Thereafter, Sahrul was escorted to the Mako Ditpolairud Polda NTT for further examination. The Ditpolairud Polda NTT is also investigating the involvement of other suspects and suppliers of raw materials used to create fish bombs.

“The suspect has carried out the activity of catching fish using fish bombs since 2025 and it has been carried out daily in the mornings and evenings,” Irwan said.

(iws/iws)