The Indonesian and
Malaysian governments agreed on a reciprocal agreement not to arrest each
other’s trespassing fishermen whose boats were under 5 gross tonnage and caught
in illegal fishing. “We would not arrest Malaysian fishermen trespassing
our water territories, and vice versa, but this applies only to small fisherman
boats below 5 GT weight. “The Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime and
Fishery [KKP] Sjarief Widjaja disclosed to Business News [21/7].
The agreement was reasonable
since life at sea was characterized by migration of fish. Exodus of fish from
one region to another was a process of adaptation to the condition of nature.
When in one area fish were not found, it meant they were migrating to other
zones. Fish migrated for breeding, to seek for food or trying to defend their
lives. “If we claim: ‘these are our fish they are just wandering’ it’s only a
joke. Very frequently fish from Medan wander to Malaysia, Fishermen cannot
claim” for that matter Indonesia made a reciprocal agreement with Malaysia as
told.
In the future Indonesia was
preparing to make the same reciprocal agreement with other countries. Indonesia
bordered with Papua new Guinea. Australia, the Philippines and Timor Leste so
most probably collaboration agreement could be applied. The agreement was only
for pure fishermen.
The reciprocal agreement
was not applicable to fishermen who abuse their boats for illegal purposes like
transporting illegal emigrants, or smuggling, or human trafficking.
Inspecting was exercised as
ships anchored at harbor when officials examine their documents, to check
whether their fishing equipments were in accordance with the data stated in the
documents. As fishermen sailed and come back officials examined catch, and check
whether they were distributed or used by the rule, after documents were
checked.
The inspection procedure
was in line with the Code of Conduct of Responsible Fisheries [CCRF] 1995,
released by the Food and Agricultural Organization [FAO]. In CCRF 1995, FAO
formulated the reference to be applied in countries all over the world on the
management of fishery which was orderly, accountable and sustainable. Such
could be realized through application of Monitoring Control and Surveilance
[MCS].
Meanwhile the Director
General of Hooked Fish Gellwyn Jusuf saw the need for re-orientation of
development from internal management to integration and harmonization of boats
must be able to catch fish at longer distance; operation of boats of wider
exploration reach and catching capacity up to Exclusive Economic Zone [ZEE]”
Gellwyn stated to Business News [21/7].
Development of harbor
facilities and infrastructure must reach outer borderline. While functioning as
embarking facility for fishermen’s boats the harbor was facility for anchorage
of ships for monitoring illegal ships. “Ships which were not clear would have
their fish confiscated and be grounded at harbor.”
Besides safeguarding
souvereignity, IUU Fishing could also promote economy of the coastal and small
island communities. So far the fisherman and coastal people had obstacles in
distributing their products by inferior harbor facilities. “By 2015 next, we
would plan to make developments in Ranai Natuna, Riau Islands.”
The Ranai airport is
in the regency of Natuna, Natuna islands and South China Sea [SCS/South China
Sea] which was rich in fish resources. We were afraid there would be fishermen
doing IUU Fishing. Many countries were constantly aiming at the rich sea
resources in South China Sea. (SS)
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