KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has seized two Malaysian-flagged fishing vessels in Indonesian territory in the Strait of Malacca on suspicions of illegal fishing.

A patrol vessel operating under the ministry’s Maritime and Fisheries Resources Supervision Directorate General seized the first fishing vessel at around 12 p.m. last Saturday and the second ship around an hour later in nearby waters.

The two vessels, both manned by Thai crewmembers, allegedly used trawl nets to fish in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“The vessels were operating in Indonesian waters without fishing permits and were using fishing gear that has been banned by the government,” acting director general Nilanto Perbowo said in a press statement on Monday.

The alleged violations are punishable by up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp 20 billion (US$1.43 million), as stipulated in the 2004 Fisheries Law.

The two vessels were immediately taken to the ministry’s Lampulo office in Aceh for further investigation.

Editor: Wahyu T.Rahmawati