Maritime, Fisheries Minister To Strengthen Bilateral, Multilateral Ties

Jakarta (Antara Bali)- Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti affirmed that she will take steps to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties to help fight illegal fishing activities.

"In the second year of my ministerial term, I will strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations," Minister Pudjiastuti stated during the Indonesian and Belgian Maritime Conference, here, Wednesday.

The international cooperation is meant to intensify the fight against illegal fishing activities, which have become transnational crimes.

International coordination was needed to deal with FV Viking, a vessel declared a fugitive by Interpol's Norwegian branch, she stated.

FV Viking had committed organized international crimes that had undermined the sovereignty of several countries, she added.

"Support and cooperation from Singapore and Thailand, where FV Viking had frequently docked, was crucial to disclose the real owner of FV Viking," she emphasized.

FV Viking was categorized as an illegal fishing ship by the Regional Fisheries Management Organization's (RFMO's) Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

The Viking was captured in Tanjungberakit waters, Bintan District, Riau Islands Province, by the Indonesian Navy in an operation involving warship KRI Sultan Toha Saifuddin-376 and Bolco NP 408 helicopter.

The Navy escorted the foreign fishing ship to the Tanjunguban naval base.

The ship engaged in poaching activities had changed its name 13 times, its flag 12 times, and its call sign eight names, according to Interpol's Norwegian branch.

FV Viking was finally partially blown up by the Indonesian authorities in Pengandaran waters, West Java, on March 14, and part of its body would be made a monument on illegal fishing. (WDY)