RI arrests 17 Thai fishermen

RI arrests 17 Thai fishermen

INDONESIA: Indonesian authorities have arrested 17 Thai fishermen and seized their five boats in the latest operation targeting illegal fishing in the vast archipelago nation, a navy officer said on Saturday.

The boats were seized last Saturday for catching large hauls of fish without proper licenses in the eastern province of Maluku, said Ronald, an officer from the navy's eastern fleet headquarters.

He said 17 crew members were also arrested. They faced up to six years in jail and fines of Rp 20 billion (US$2 million) if convicted, he said.

Illegal fishing is estimated to cost Indonesia two billion dollars in annual losses.

Authorities have increased operations against poachers in several parts of the archipelago, sinking a number of boats in recent years after evacuating and detaining their crews. -- AFP