Harassment at sea

Harassment at sea

From Koran Tempo

Local fishing boats have lately often been harassed while operating at sea by being stopped or inspected under varying pretenses, a process which usually ends up in a "compromise".

Therefore, we want a clear explanation as to whether the Indonesian Navy is authorized to inspect (genuine) Indonesian fishing boats, and threaten to tow the vessels ashore and detain them at Tanjung Priok port, which usually does not happen in the end. On which regulations or laws are these inspections based?

The same question must also be addressed to the police, particularly the marine police. We expect to see proper coordination instituted between the Ministry of Fishing, the navy and the police.

In this way, the burden on fishermen can be relieved, especially those operating out of Muara Baru, North Jakarta, who frequently fail to catch anything due to the harassment, thus damaging the public interest and foreign exchange earnings.

On the other hand, all fishing boat skippers should comply with the requirements of the laws in force.

Meanwhile, is it true that the Association of Fishing Entrepreneurs (ASTUIN) collects Rp 350,000 monthly from each fishing boat operated by its members? If so, what is this money used for?

J. SUJANTO KARTOWIDJOJO

Jakarta