Fish In Indonesian Waters Belongs To Indonesian Fishermen: Minister

Sangihe, N Sulawesi ( Antara Bali) - Indonesian Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Susi Pudjiastuti said on Thursday that fish in Indonesian waters belongs to the country's fishermen and not to foreign fishermen.

"Philippine fishermen and businessmen are not allowed to catch fish (in Sangihe), but must buy those that have been caught by Sangihe fishermen, must pay taxes and other obligations to the (Indonesian) state and give livelihood to the local people," she said while visiting the Dagho helmet in Sangihe, North Sulawesi.

Whoever they are, if they are not Indonesian citizens, they are not allowed to catch fish in the Indonesian waters for whatever reasons, she said.

"The right over marine products in Indonesia is that of Indonesian fishermen. The Philippines' citizens, who wish to catch fish in the Indonesian waters, must first become Indonesian citizens and live in Sangihe," she added.

Although Sangihe borders the Philippines and relations between community members of the two countries are good, Sangihe fishermen have never caught fish in the Philippines¿ waters, Susi noted.

Indonesia has sovereignty that must be respected by other countries as it has also respected the sovereignty of other countries so far, she stated.

"If you still find foreign fishermen poaching fish in the Indonesian waters, just report it to me. I will certainly take action against them and have their fishing boats sunk," she told the people.

Minister Susi said the fishery sector has grown at a faster pace than other sectors after Indonesia started cracking down on illegal fishing activities.

She said that as a maritime region Indonesia has abundant sea food products, which are needed by other countries.

"If a foreigner came to Sangihe he/she must carry money to buy fish from local fishermen and not fishing boats and fishing equipment," she said.

Susi also said the sea sovereignty of Sangihe waters is in the hands of the Sangihe people and in view of that all community members in the region must unite to preserve it so that illegal fishing by foreign fishermen does not take place again.

Regarding complaints about the process of obtaining fishing boat documents, the minister said boats below 10 GT need not have to have shipping documents.

"At the end of last year, I had sent a circular to all provincial governors and district heads, as well as city mayors about not requiring fishing documents for boats measuring below 10 GT, but the fishermen concerned only have to register themselves as fishery service with the port master before sailing to fish," she said.

Minister Susi pledged to send 23 fishing boats weighing 5 GT to a number of fishermen groups in Sangihe.(WDY)