Poaching affects local catches

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Malaysian fishermen have allegedly continued to operate illegally in East Kalimantan waters.

Their alleged fishing in Indonesian waters is reportedly the cause of the smaller catches of local fishermen over the past few years.

The East Kalimantan fisheries and maritime affairs office said on Friday it had seized five Malaysian ships in 2000 for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters.

Cases involving Malaysian fishermen increased to seven in 2001 and to 19 cases last year, it added. -- JP