14-8-2023 (JAKARTA) The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) successfully intercepted a Vietnamese-flagged fishing boat engaged in illegal activities in the northern waters of the Natuna Sea, located in the Riau Islands. The operation took place on Friday and underscores Indonesia’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial waters from unlawful fishing activities.
The apprehended vessel, identified by the hull number BD 97178 TS, was detected engaging in illegal fishing by Bakamla’s patrol vessel KN Marore-322. The incident occurred around 09:58 a.m., prompting immediate action by the Indonesian authorities.
Bakamla’s public relations officer, Yuhanes, explained that the radar operator noticed a significant violation: the fishing boat failed to activate its AIS (automatic identification system), raising suspicions of illegal activity.
In response to this breach, the Indonesian patrol vessel KN Marore-322 approached the Vietnamese boat. The vessel, however, attempted to evade capture by engaging in evasive maneuvers to escape the authorities.
“At 10:58 a.m., our team successfully halted the boat and conducted a thorough inspection of its documentation, crew, and cargo,” Yuhanes revealed.
The inspection uncovered several critical details about the fishing boat. The vessel accommodated a crew of 12 members and was carrying a substantial load of 5 tons of fish.
Despite these findings, the Vietnamese fishing boat lacked the necessary permits to engage in fishing activities within Indonesian waters. As a result, the vessel was subsequently escorted to Batam, a city in the Riau Islands, for further investigation and legal action.
