KKP seizes vessel suspected of fish bombing in Spermonde Islands

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has seized one vessel and its five crew members suspected of fishing with explosives in the Spermonde Islands waters of South Sulawesi, after a monitoring team detected an explosion in the area.

Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) Pung Nugroho Saksono said the explosion was detected by the PSDKP team on Thursday (27/8) at around 09.00 WITA.

The team then moved to the location and secured KM Nurmaulina, which was carrying around 20 kilograms of fish believed to have been caught using explosives, according to a KKP statement in Jakarta on Friday.

In addition to the vessel and five crew members, officers also seized one compressor unit suspected of having been used in the fishing activity.

“One group was tasked with throwing the explosives and immediately moving away from the location after the explosion occurred. Meanwhile, the other group was tasked with collecting fish from the surface and by diving,” said Pung.

According to him, the use of explosives to catch fish not only violates the law but also has the potential to cause serious damage to marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs and fish habitats.

He assured that the KKP will continue to strengthen surveillance against destructive fishing practices, including through rapid response to information regarding damaging fishing activities.

“The KKP will not provide any room for fishing practices that damage marine ecosystems. Surveillance will continue to be carried out and every piece of information from the public will be an important part of strengthening responses in the field,” said Pung.

He also urged the public and fishermen to report any fishing activities using explosives or other destructive fishing practices.