Indonesia, Australia agree on 3 programs to eradicate illegal fishing

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia and Australia have agreed on an alternative livelihood development program, cooperation in supervision and law enforcement, as well as Public Information Campaign (PIC) to address the fishing violations by Indonesian fishermen in Australian waters.

“This is an effort to overcome illegal fishing activities by Indonesian fishermen in Australian waters,” Indonesia’s Director General for Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision Rear Admiral Adin Nurawaluddin said in a press release received here on Friday (April 1).

Adin said those programs are a combination of prevention and law enforcement approaches to provide a deterrent effect so that fishermen do not illegally enter Australian waters. In addition, the approach to improving the fishermen’s economy will be encouraged through alternative livelihoods.

“We are expecting the solutions on this issues to be carried out comprehensively, not only through repressive measures. There should be efforts to prevent and improve the welfare of fishermen,” Adin said.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the Directorate General for Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision, Suharta, said that to implement the three programs, both parties have agreed to establish a working group that would finalize the plan and implementation of the program.

He pointed out that Indonesia and Australia had agreed on a terms of reference for cooperation in supervision and law enforcement and PIC through the awareness of relevant stakeholders. Meanwhile, the development of alternative livelihoods will be discussed further.

“The development of alternative livelihoods is cross-sectoral, so it is necessary to involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bappenas (the National Development Planning Agency),” Suharta said.

Some time ago the Directorate General and the Australian Maritime Border Command carried out coordinated patrols called Jawline Arafura to overcome the illegal fishing in border areas.

Reporting by Indonesia Window