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