RI, Australia study fishing

RI, Australia study fishing

JAKARTA: A joint Australian-Indonesian delegation is scheduled
to make a visit to Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara on Monday to
study the problem of illegal fishing by Indonesians in Australian
waters.

The delegation, which will be led by Ian Porter of the
Australian embassy, will meet with local administration and
military officials, as well as local community leaders and
fishermen, the Australian embassy announced yesterday.

The delegation will look at ways of informing local fishing
communities and officials about Australia's concern over the
recent upsurge in illegal fishing by Indonesian fishermen, it
said.

Over 120 Indonesian vessels were apprehended for illegally
fishing in Australian waters last year.

The visit is aimed at assisting fishing communities in those
areas to understand the nature of agreements regulating fishing
activities between the two countries.(rms)