VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo stated that Task Force 115 will carry out operations in areas prone to IUU fishing or theft of fishery commodities such as in the waters of the North Natuna Sea and the Arafuru Sea.

"The Task Force will also carry out operations in areas prone to illegal fishing and destructive fishing," said Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo in a press release in Jakarta, Wednesday.

As it is well known, Task Force 115 was formed based on Presidential Regulation Number 115 of 2015 as a form of serious concern of the Indonesian Government which views the need for integrated steps by all agencies to address illegal fishing practices.

Minister Edhy maintains the existence of the Task Force by stipulating Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number 24/PERMEN-KP/2020 concerning the Organization and Work Procedure of Task Force 115 and the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number 1/KEPMEN-KP/SATGAS/2020 concerning the Composition of Task Force 115 Members.

In addition to eradicating illegal fishing, he continued, Task Force 115 in the era of Minister Edhy would also be encouraged to take part in overseeing the industrialization of fisheries being developed by the government.

"In addition to strengthening coordination and synergy, Task Force 115 will take operational steps," explained Edhy, who is also the Commander of Task Force 115.

Edhy explained that Task Force 115 will integrate the strengths of each element so that the eradication of IUU Fishing, especially the large-scale one involving international networks, can run effectively.

Edhy asked Task Force 115 to create breakthroughs in handling illegal fishing.

"Take advantage of the latest technology so that the eradication of illegal fishing can run effectively and efficiently, can have a deterrent effect on the perpetrators, and can recover state losses," he explained.

In addition, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries also instructed Task Force 115 to take part in overseeing the industrialization of fisheries, as stated in Presidential Instruction Number 7 of 2016 concerning the Acceleration of National Fisheries Industry Development.

For this purpose, Edhy hopes that Task Force 115 will optimize prevention efforts by encouraging the level of compliance of local fishery business actors. (Antaranews)