Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said that Indonesia will not compromise with illegal fishing activities within Indonesian waters.

“Indonesia is very strict and will not compromise with illegal fishing,” Minister Susi said on Friday, August 3, 2018.

The statement was issued by Minister Susi in response to the verdict issued by the Sabang District Court, which has imposed a fine to a Russian citizen named Matveev Aleksandr

Matveev Aleksandr is the captain of the STS-50 fishing ship who is also a fugitive of the Interpol.

Susi asserted that any form of illegal fishing is a form of ignorance of a country’s sovereignty. In relation to the verdict, Susi said that the verdict can be considered progressive and can help to prevent fish theft activities in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Acting Director General of Marine and Fisheries Natural Resources of the Marine and Fisheries Minister Nilanto Perbowo, said that the STS-50 ship had conducted illegal fishing in a number of regions and had once escaped from Mozambique and China before arrested by Indonesia Naval Army.

Previously the Sabang District Court Panel of judges rendered a decision, ordering Mateevn Aleksandr to pay an IDR 200 million fine.

Source: Tempo