National

Indonesia and Australia Discuss Arrests for Illegal Fishing
Tuesday, 20 December, 2005 | 10:29 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesia held a bilateral meeting on Monday (19/12) with Australia in order to discuss cooperation in handling arrests resulting from illegal fishing.

The meeting between Indonesian Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Freddy Numberi and Australian Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation Ian Mac Donald was held in response to arrests of Indonesian fishermen fishing illegally in Australian waters.

According to Numberi, discussions regarding fishing management in the waters of Indonesian and Australia borders were very much required bearing in mind the high number of Indonesian fishermen who have been arrested in these waters.

What was required were clear borders to the Economic Exclusive Zone between Indonesia and Australia, that would become a joint monitoring and management area.

“Later, matters to be implemented and agreed will be discussed at a senior officials meeting,” said Numberi.

Aji Sularso, Head of the Information and Statistics Data Center at the Indonesian Department of Maritime and Fishery Affairs, said that the issue of illegal fishing has become an matter of discussion between the government and opposition parties.

A clear regulation on fish resources and monitoring will hopefully reduce arbitrary acts by the Australian authorities in arresting Indonesian fishermen who might unintentionally enter the waters of Australia.

“Meanwhile, the Indonesian government is expected to improve the management and protection of Indonesian fishermen so that the violations in Australian waters could be settled properly,” stated Sularso.
(Wahyudin Fahmi-Tempo News Room)