Indonesia, through its Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, has urged member states of the regional action plan to enhance oversight of cross-border fishing. The ministry emphasized that strengthening oversight among countries has become vital, as fishing-related crimes often transcend jurisdictional boundaries and can only be addressed through international collaboration.
These statements were made by Bong Nugroho Saksano, the Director General for Marine Resource and Fisheries Supervision, during a press conference in the capital Jakarta. He pointed out that the recent incident involving the vessel MV Run Zeng 03, flagged under Russia, which was apprehended in May 2024 for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, highlights the urgent need for this cooperation.
Event Details
As part of enhancing oversight, Indonesia organized a regional workshop on crimes in the fishing sector in Bali from April 14 to 16. This forum was attended by 28 participants from seven member countries of the regional action plan, along with experts from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, Interpol, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Saiful Umam, Secretary of the Directorate General for Marine Resource and Fisheries Supervision, emphasized the importance of cooperation mechanisms among countries, including pursuing violating vessels and sharing intelligence to support law enforcement.
Background & Context
The regional action plan to enhance responsible fishing practices was established on May 4, 2007, in Bali, as a regional commitment to combat illegal and unreported fishing conducted without clear regulations. This plan includes 11 member countries, such as Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, with Indonesia serving as the secretariat.
Maritime crimes, including illegal fishing, are significant challenges facing coastal nations, impacting food security and local economies. Therefore, enhancing regional cooperation is a crucial step towards protecting marine resources.
Impact & Consequences
This call for enhanced oversight of cross-border fishing represents a strategic step to address the increasing challenges in this sector. As maritime crimes rise, international cooperation becomes essential to ensure the sustainability of marine resources and protect them from over-exploitation.
Furthermore, strengthening oversight can contribute to improving maritime security, benefiting all member states of the regional action plan. This cooperation may also help strengthen relations among member countries and bolster efforts to combat organized crime.
Regional Significance
Although this news pertains to Indonesia, it holds significant implications for the Arab region. Arab countries, which possess long coastlines and rich marine resources, face similar challenges in the fishing sector. Therefore, enhancing regional cooperation in this area could serve as a model to emulate.
Additionally, exchanging information and experiences among Arab countries can contribute to better management of marine resources, thereby enhancing food security and sustainable development in the region.