Five ships nabbed for illegal fishing

JAKARTA: The Navy has captured five local ships manned by foreigners for fishing illegally in Natuna Island waters.

Chief of the Navy's Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Achmad Sutjipto, said here Wednesday the ships carrying Indonesian flags were seized by three warships patrolling the area.

"The trawlers do not have the necessary documents and their crews, all of them Thais, will be further investigated," Sutjipto stated in a press release.

Among the ships were KM Bukit Intan-III, KM Mulya Jaya-5 and KM Mulya Jaya-9.

Over the last two months, more than 60 foreign and local ships have been seized in Navy operations to curb illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. (rms)