Police Arrest Man for Netting Hundreds of Napoleon Fish in Thousand Islands

The Directorate of Water and Air Police (Ditpolairud) of Metro Jaya Regional Police has arrested a man who caught hundreds of Napoleon fish. The Napoleon fish, a protected species, was netted by the perpetrator in the waters of Panggang Island, North Thousand Islands, Jakarta.

“From the investigation results, we found 180 Napoleon fish in a floating net cage at coordinates 5°44’39.2”S - 106°36’25.1”E in the waters of Panggang Island, North Thousand Islands,” said Deputy Head of Ditpolairud of Metro Jaya Regional Police, AKBP Bungin Masokan Misalayuk, as reported by Antara on Tuesday (12/5/2026).

He explained that the case was reported by the public with Police Report (LP) Number: LP/A/11/IV/2026/SPKT.DITPOLAIRUD/POLDA METRO JAYA dated 21 April 2026.

“This disclosure began with a public report regarding alleged exploitation of protected fish without the required permits,” he said.

Bungin explained that they had examined the suspect with initials SH, who has been involved in capturing and selling Napoleon fish since 2023 and admitted that his catches were sold domestically.

“To Mr SH, based on the investigation, the sales activity was conducted within the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, so there is no involvement of exports abroad yet, and this sales activity has been ongoing since 2023 until now,” he said.

He added that the Napoleon fish is a protected marine species based on the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decree Number 37/Kepmen-KP/2013 on the Designation of the Protected Status of Napoleon Fish (Cheilinus undulatus).

“The Napoleon fish is a protected marine biota, so its exploitation or transportation must comply with the regulations and permits set by the government,” he said.

Ditpolairud of Metro Jaya Regional Police will continue to monitor illegal practices in the utilisation of marine resources, particularly against protected species.

“We are committed to preserving the marine ecosystem and taking firm action against every illegal fishing activity that has the potential to damage marine resources,” he stated.

For his actions, the suspect is charged under Article 92 of Law Number 45 of 2009 amending Law Number 31 of 2004 on Fisheries or Paragraph 2 Marine and Fisheries Article 27 item 26 of Law Number 6 of 2023 on Job Creation, with a maximum penalty of eight years’ imprisonment.