Four detained for fake fishing permits

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Prosecutors Office has detained four suspects for faking fishing and tax permits that allowed foreign fishermen into the country's waters.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said that the four suspects were Tema Persula, HM Syafrudin, Tjia Karjono, and Ja'far Abdullah. The ministry said all suspects were believed to be members of a syndicate. It did not elaborate.

The counterfeit documents were issued to facilitate the illegal fishing by 14 vessels owned by Thai citizens, it said.

Authorities have recently intensified measures to curb illegal fishing by foreigners. -- JP