VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian maritime authorities has impounded 10 Vietnamese fishing boats for illegal fishing in the North Natuna waters. The 10 Vietnamese fishing boats were seized in the exclusive economic zone when maritime security officers aboard four patrol boats were patrolling the waters on May 27, spokesman for the local marine and fishery resources supervisory (PSDKP) station, Erwin said in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Sunday.

None of the Vietnamese fishing boats was equipped with a fishing permit from the Indonesian government, he said.

He said the 10 Vietnamese fishing boats are being moored at the pier of PSDKP station for further investigation.

During the patrol, the Indonesian patrol boat Hiu Macan 01 seized two Vietnamese fishing boats with 23 crew members, while patrol boat Hiu 11 impounded two Vietnamese fishing boats with 13 crew members. Other Indonesian patrol boat Paus seized two Vietnamese fishing boats with 14 crew members and patrol boat Orca 20 arrested four Vietnamese fishing boats with 24 crew members.

"In total, the 10 Vietnamese fishing boats have 74 crew members, all of them Vietnamese nationals," he said.

The Vietnamese fishermen have been charged with violating the Indonesian fisheries law. (ant)