Australia and Indonesia Move on Fishing Incursions
Date: 12-Dec-05
Country: MALAYSIA
The two countries have agreed to take an education programme into Indonesian fishing villages dotted around the eastern Indonesian archipelago, Alexander Downer told reporters on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian summit.
"Australia and Indonesia are going to embark on an education programme, particularly in south Sulawesi and West Papua ... to explain to fishing villages and fishing communities that illegal fishing brings with it the risk of imprisonment and destruction of boats," he said.
Australia would fund the programme and send its fisheries minister to Jakarta on Dec. 19 to pursue the initiative, he said.
Australia complains that Indonesian fishermen venture into its waters to fish for lucrative shark fin because they have depleted their own stocks. Shark fin is a delicacy in Asia and can earn fishermen up to A$200 ($148) a kilo.
Australia recently launched a crackdown on illegal fishing, apprehending 1,760 crew and destroying their boats. A total of 432 masters and senior crew have been charged with offences, with lower-order crew sent home to Indonesia.
Some Indonesian fishermen have tried to avoid capture by brandishing burning poles, knives and machetes, Australian says. It has boosted its border security with several new patrol boats.
