KKP Denies Foreign Vessels in Merauke Using Tiger Trawl Nets

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has denied that foreign vessels in the South Papua region, rejected by residents in Merauke, were using tiger trawl nets. Director General of Capture Fisheries at KKP, Lotharia Latif, stated that the vessels protested by locals were not using tiger trawls but rather Bagged Shrimp Encircling Nets (JHUB). Latif claimed that the use of JHUB is tightly restricted and does not disrupt traditional fishermen’s activities. “The operation of vessels using JHUB gear is only permitted in specific areas that have been clearly designated in maps and coordinate points,” Latif said in his official statement on Sunday (26/4/2026). “This is to ensure there is no overlap with small-scale fishermen’s capture areas,” he added. Latif emphasised that the government is committed to strengthening national capture fisheries governance to ensure sustainable fishery resources. Rules regarding capture gear are regulated in Ministerial Regulation of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 36 of 2023 on the Placement of Fish Capture Devices and Auxiliary Capture Devices in Measured Fishing Zones and the Management Area of the Republic of Indonesia’s Fisheries. The regulation, signed by Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, prohibits the use of tiger trawls or cantrang. “Meanwhile, the Bagged Shrimp Encircling Net (JHUB) in that regulation is a permitted capture device, with different specifications and strictly regulated to avoid damaging resources or interfering with other capture gear,” Latif stated. According to him, to ensure the rules are implemented, KKP has issued Circular of the Director General of Capture Fisheries No. B.315/MEN-DJPT/PI.220/IV/2026. The circular regulates the use of Bagged Shrimp Encircling Nets in Zone 03 of WPPNRI 718. Through the circular, KKP mandates that businesses using JHUB must employ capture gear in accordance with government rules to protect the environment and avoid conflicts. “Violations of these provisions will be subject to sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” Latif stressed. They rejected two foreign vessels that had just arrived at the port. The foreign vessels were deemed to potentially disrupt their catches, which have recently declined. “If they later impact us due to these vessels, we from HNSI hope that the central government will re-evaluate the capture zones for vessels in Merauke Regency,” said Chairman of HNSI South Papua, Taufik Latarissa, on Wednesday (22/4/2026).