Minister Susi to sink 70 vessels on independence day

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Fri, August 07 2015,


The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti plans to sink 70 illegal vessels to celebrate 70 years of Indonesian independence in August, an official says.

Navy chief of staff Adm. Ade Supandi told kompas.com on Friday that the sinking ceremony would coincide with the commemoration of Indonesia’s 70th Independence Day, which would fall on Aug. 17.

These 70 vessels, Ade said, were seized by Indonesian Navy and Water Police under the direction of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

The ministry’s director general for fisheries and maritime mineral resources supervision, Asep Burhanudin, said that the coordination between the related authorities needed to be maintained to combat the rampant theft of Indonesia’s rich marine resources.

He said the ministry was still processing 92 cases related to maritime crimes.



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