Officials accused of protecting trawlers

DELI SERDANG, North Sumatra: Hundreds of fishermen in Deli Serdang regency and neighboring districts demanded on Wednesday that security authorities deal sternly with trawlers operating off the coast of North Sumatra.

The fishermen blamed the trawlers for their small catches.

"We cannot do anything, the number of trawlers continues to increase and security personnel do not stop them," said one protester.

The fishermen accused local security authorities of colluding with the trawlers.

Trawlers operate at day and night in waters off North Sumatra. They manage to make off with big catches, the protester added.

The fishermen said the presence of trawlers has drastically reduced their daily earnings. --Antara