RI, Australia coordinate patrols to target illegal fishing

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, has described the latest coordinated patrols by Australian and Indonesian authorities as 'concrete evidence' of the seriousness with which both countries were addressing the threat of illegal fishing in the region, according to a press statement of the Australian embassy in Jakarta.

Australia's Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, announced that vessels from the Australian Customs Service and the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries have completed a two-week operation (11-25 April) of coordinated patrols targeting illegal fishing in the Arafura Sea north-east of Darwin.

The Australian Customs Vessel Triton and Indonesian Fisheries Vessels Hiu Macan 003 and Hiu Macan 004 patrolled their respective Exclusive Economic Zones in this area, with the Indonesian vessels also visiting an Australian port for the first time.

Indonesia's Minister for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Freddy Numberi said, "Our respective maritime zones should be seen as a common resource and both sides are equally responsible for their wise and sustainable use."

"We are all committed to the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices in our region. This solid cooperation between Australia and Indonesia is very ...