Foreign ships rule North Sumatra

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Local fishermen have complained that foreign fishing vessels are operating in North Sumatra.

Representing the local fishermen, Nurdin Harahap, who is the chairman of North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI), said the foreigners often clashed with local fishermen.

Nurdin said that fishermen were scared to fish, especially around Berhala island, since foreign ships had once shot at a local fishing boat which tried to get close to them.

"A foreign ship even shot at a boat owned by local fishermen. There were victims from that incident," Nurdin said in a hearing with legislators from the House of Representatives here. (jun)