Court Needed To Deal With Possible Ship Sinking Dispute: Expert

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, Dec 16 (Antara) - International law expert Dr DW Thadeus from the University of Nusa Cendana (Undana) warned the government to be ready with facility and infrastructure such as special court to deal with possible dispute over the sinking of illegal fishing ships. "Adequate facility and infrastructure are important to back up the policy of President Joko Widodo to sink foreign fishing vessels operating illegally in Indonesian waters," Dr Thadesus said here on Tuesday. President Jokowi has passed the tough order to the Indonesian navy and policy to sink foreign fishing vessels found illegally operating in Indonesian waters. Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti dismissed concern that the sinking of the boat would caused damage to bilateral relations saying "we deal with thieves not with any government or countries." Susi said illegal fishing caused a potential losses of up to Rp300 trillion a year in stolen fishes to the country. Some politicians expressed concern that the policy could damage diplomatic ties. Jokowi himself has said a number of heads of state have protested his policy. The navy already burned and sank three Vietnamese fishing vessels found illegally fishing in the country. Susi described the impact of the ship sinking as concrete, saying there were around 1,200 foreign fishing vessels operating illegally everyday in the sea off Natuna, but the number has been reduced from day to day after the government showed that it was determined to carry out its policy. Currently there were only 138 foreign vessels known still operating illegally in that area, she said. "I don`t know whether they are hiding or have lost courage to risk being caught , but the fact is that most of them are no longer seen in out sea territory," she said. Dr Thadeus said the country also needs judges with adequate expertise to handle trials of foreign suspects involved in illegal fishing. He said boats and ships are other facilities and infrastructure needed to effectively implement the presidential instruction. He pointed to a recent incident when 14 of 22 Chinese fishing vessels found illegally fishing in the Arafuru sea escaped as the navy came too late. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said "That served as a lesson, and it must not happen again in the future." Ryamizrad said the ships could escape because of lack of coordination. In the future coordination would be improved such as with the air force that could easily overtake them and block their way out between the islands, he added. Thadeus said all related agencies the navy police and the marine and fisheries ministry need to remain on the alert. "There are indeed a lot of temptations in the field in the form of money to weaken the commitment of our soldiers," he said.