KKP Seizes Three Foreign Vessels, Averts Potential Loss of Rp20.2 Billion
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) averted a potential state loss of Rp20.2 billion by seizing three Malaysian-flagged fishing vessels suspected of conducting illegal fishing in the Malacca Strait on 10-11 April 2026.
Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Surveillance (PSDKP) at KKP, Pung Nugroho Saksono, stated that the three vessels were apprehended while operating in Indonesian waters using prohibited trawl nets.
The valuation of the potential loss from the alleged illegal activities of the three foreign vessels is approximately Rp20.2 billion, Pung said during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He explained that the seizures were carried out over two days by the patrol vessels Barracuda 01 and Hiu 01 in the Malacca Strait, which detected the presence of foreign vessels in Indonesian territory.
“Over the course of two consecutive days, 10 and 11 April, our fleet vessels, Barracuda 01 and Hiu 01, were operating in the Malacca Strait. In the Malacca Strait, they detected three foreign vessels operating in our territory,” he said.
The three secured vessels are numbered PKFB 172, PKFB 1751, and PKFB 4790.
He noted that two vessels were seized on 10 April 2026 and brought to the PSDKP Base in Batam, while the third was seized on 11 April 2026 and taken to the PSDKP Station in Belawan for further investigation.
According to KKP’s briefing, PKFB 172 measures 64.46 gross tons (GT) with four Indonesian crew members (WNI), while PKFB 1751 measures 62.73 GT with five WNI crew. Meanwhile, PKFB 4790 measures 55.02 GT with four foreign crew members from Myanmar.
Captain of the Barracuda 01 patrol vessel, Capt. Aldi Firmansyah, said the first two vessels were detected in Indonesian territorial waters on Friday, 10 April 2026, around 17:00 WIB.
“KP Barracuda 01 successfully detected two foreign fishing vessels conducting fishing activities in Indonesian territorial waters using trawl gear,” Aldi said via live broadcast from Batam.
Meanwhile, Captain of the Hiu 01 patrol vessel, Capt. Rusanto Mangopa, stated that the third vessel was detected on Saturday, 11 April 2026, at 12:15 WIB, in the Republic of Indonesia’s National Fisheries Management Area (WPPNRI) 571.
According to him, the vessel attempted to obstruct officers by releasing its nets during the pursuit.
“During the pursuit, the foreign fishing vessel tried to obstruct the officers by releasing its nets,” Rusanto said during the press conference via live broadcast from Belawan.
Furthermore, Pung emphasised that surveillance in those sea areas will continue to be tightened to prevent illegal fishing practices that could harm the state.
He added that from January to April 2026, KKP has processed 39 vessels involved in violations, consisting of 36 Indonesian vessels and three Malaysian vessels, with a total valuation of potential state losses averted amounting to Rp69.9 billion.