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)