Mystery boats fish in Sulawesi

Mystery boats fish in Sulawesi

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Local fishermen have complained
that large, illegal trawling nets are being used by many
"mysterious" fishing boats in the province's waters, Antara
reported Friday.

"We've seen them using the large trawling nets but we haven't
dared stop them. We just hope the authorities will stop them,"
fisherman Anto said.

He said the government had banned these nets as they
threatened the ecology, and the sustainability of local
fishermen's livelihoods. The nets catch both large and small
fish.

Head of the Southeast Sulawesi fishery office, Manggo Yosman,
acknowledged the presence of the unidentified boats.

"In 1997, we confiscated 23 large trawling nets that had been
used in Buton regency waters," he said.

Manggo said bombing and cyanide fishing were also much
practiced in the waters, and also threatened the ecosystem. (aan)