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.