Jakarta, InfoPublik - In the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, Indonesia's Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's (KKP) Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision Directorate General remain vigilant in guarding the sovereignty of fisheries management in the North Natuna Sea.

The ministry detained two illegal Vietnamese-flagged vessels operating illegal fishing activities in the fisheries management area of the Republic of Indonesia (WPP-NRI) 711-North Natuna Sea.

"Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision Directorate General's sea patrols has detained two illegal foreign fishing vessels in the North Natuna Sea on Friday,3 April 2020," Marine Affairs and fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo said in a statement on Sunday (5/4/2020).

Edhy further explained that the two illegal vessels with the names KG 93811 TS and KG 93012 TS were detained by the Orca 03 Fisheries Supervisory Boat which commanded by Capt. Mohammad Ma’ruf at coordinates 03 ° 51,172' North Latitude - 104 ° 44,515' East Longitude.

Twenty two Vietnamese crewmen were apprehended from the two vessels which operated trawling fishing gear.

"Currently the two vessels are being escorted to the Natuna marine and fisheries resource control (SDKP) supervisory unit to undergo further legal proceedings," said Edhy.

This detainment, said Edhy, sent a firm message to the perpetrators of illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. He ensured, the ministry's Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision Directorate will continue to safeguard the sovereignty of fisheries management from the threat of illegal fishing.

"This has proven our vigilance amid the Covid-19 pandemic. By continuing to implement the Covid-19 prevention and control protocol, our Fisheries Supervisor will continue to work to protect our waters from fish thieves so that our fishermen can fish safely and conveniently," he stressed.

The most recent detainment of two illegal Vietnamese-flagged vessels has added the list of illegal foreign fishing vessels that had been captured under the leadership of Minister Edhy Prabowo. from the total of 19 detained illegal fishing vessels, 10 were Vietnamese-flagged vessels, 4 Philippine-flagged vessels, and 5 Malaysian-flagged vessels.

In addition to seizing illegal foreign fishing vessels, Minister Edhy has also taken a series of strategic measures including escorting Indonesian fishermen operating in the North Natuna Sea and releasing Indonesian fishermen who were captured by Malaysian authorities.

"Our fishermen still need to go out to sea to make ends meet in this difficult time. Therefore, KKP is here to protect the marine and fisheries community. We emphasize that under any circumstances we remain committed to escorting and protecting Indonesian fishermen, including eradicating illegal vessels,” said Edhy.

Separately, Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision Director General Tb Haeru Rahayu said that the directorate general's Fishery Supervisor continued their operate in locations deemed prone to illegal fishing, including in the North Natuna Sea.

"Our Fisheries Supervisory Ships continue to patrol the North Natuna Sea. In addition to guarding Indonesian fishing vessels operating the North Natuna Sea, they also patrol to keep illegal fishing perpetrators out of our waters,” explained Tb.

Nevertheless, Tb did not dismiss that the fisheries supervision patrolling in the field needed to be aware that there may be a modus operandi in which illegal fishing perpetrators try to take advantage of Indonesia's negligence in guarding its waters in the midst of its efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19.

During the Covid-19 handling period, six illegal foreign fishing vessels have been detained by the Directorate General. This indicates that all levels of officials within the Resources Supervision Director General currently working in the field remained vigilant in locations that were suspected of being targeted by illegal fishing.

"In accordance with the Minister's direction, we did not reduce our performance, while remain strictly implementing the Covid-19 preventive procedure," explained Tb.

Tb also explained that the directorate general will follow the Covid-19 prevention and control protocol established by the government in handling the apprehended Vietnamese crewmen.

"We will work based on the protocol that has been established. Of course we will communicate with relevant agencies including the Port Health Office and the Health Ministry. We also apply tight Covid-19 prevention procedure to the illegal fishing crewmen," Tb explained.