Indonesia, Australia on Joint Sea Patrol to Combat Illegal Fishing
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Indonesian and Australian authorities have signed an agreement to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and to promote sustainable fisheries governance across the region.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has signed a cooperation agreement with the Australian Agriculture and Water Resources Department to combat illegal fishing through a joint patrol.
Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce met Indonesia's Minister for Maritime Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti, agreeing to co-operate on tracking down foreign fishers that stray into the archipelago nation's vast waters.
Through the cooperation, Indonesia is hoping to put a stop on foreign vessels stealing fish in Indonesian waters.
"Without Australia's assistance, Indonesia will find difficulties to monitor everything happening in the eastern waters, especially around the borders of Papua New Guinea and East Timor," Minister of Marine and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti said.
“Both Australia and Indonesia have long recognised the importance of sustainable fisheries management,” the Australian minister pointed out.
Minister Joyce also emphasised the high-level engagement as well as the cooperation on fisheries matters at the operational level.