Locals wary of foreign fishermen

Locals wary of foreign fishermen

SORONG, Irian Jaya: Locals are worried that their livelihood
is being threatened by foreign fishing vessels whose fishing
methods enable them to catch a large amount of fish in a short
time, Antara reported yesterday.

A Sorong fisherman, Dimara, said that before the arrival of
the foreign vessels, local fishermen could catch up to one ton of
fish per day. Now they can catch only a few kilos of fish as most
is netted by foreign fishermen, he said.

He called on the Navy to establish a base in the region, and
help keep foreign fishermen away.

He said foreign fishing boats can easily escape and hide
behind the hundreds of small islands near Raja Ampat Island.

"We hope the Indonesian Navy will build a base near Raja Ampat
Island, where most foreign fishing vessels anchor," he said.