The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia collaborates with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to curb illegal fishing along their shared maritime border.
The Director General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, Pung Nugroho Saksono, is currently emphasising the importance of educating Indonesian fishermen, as there are still domestic vessels engaging in illegal fishing in border waters.
“It is very unfortunate that, amidst the Indonesian government’s efforts to combat illegal fishing practices carried out by foreign fishing vessels, many Indonesian fishing vessels are fishing in other countries without permission,” said Saksono in a statement to the press on Monday, 16th of December.
Saksono explained that his department will continue educating Indonesian fishermen, particularly those in Southeast Sulawesi, on the risks and regulations surrounding fishing in Australian waters. This education has been implemented through Public Information Campaigns in Baubau City, West Muna Regency, and South Konawe Regency in Southeast Sulawesi.
“Previously, similar educational initiatives were carried out in Kupang City and Rote Ndao Regency on the 30th of July and the 1st of August 2024,” Saksono continued.
Furthermore, Saksono revealed that, based on data collected by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Directorate General of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, 48% of the 216 Indonesian fishermen caught by Australian authorities this year—equating to 103 individuals—originated from Southeast Sulawesi, specifically Baubau City, West Muna Regency, and South Konawe Regency.
“That is why these three areas have been targeted for our Public Information Campaign activities,” added Saksono.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Lidya Woodhouse, stated that the Australian government is deeply concerned about this issue. Indonesian fishermen caught fishing illegally have not only entered the border areas but have also ventured far into Western Australia’s territorial waters.
“Australia has very strict fisheries and environmental regulations to protect its marine environment and biodiversity,” said Woodhouse.
Woodhouse further explained that traditional fishing rights granted to Indonesian fishermen in the MoU Box area are strictly limited to those using non-motorised sailing vessels for fishing.
“Additionally, sea cucumbers and other seabed-dwelling marine species must not be harvested, as the territorial agreement between the two countries states that the seabed of the Indonesia-Australia border [continental shelf] belongs to the Australian government,” added Woodhouse.