..healthy ocean shielded from poaching will provide long-term dividends for local fishers and future generations,
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries intercepted 154 vessels suspected of engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the country's waters between January and September 2026.
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in a statement on Wednesday that intensified surveillance operations are crucial to preventing the plundering of marine resources and ensuring they deliver maximum economic benefits to local coastal communities.
Alongside maritime patrols, Trenggono underscored the government's efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity by expanding marine protected areas (MPAs), which covered 31.6 million hectares as of October 2026.
He said expanding these conservation zones is vital to preserving critical marine habitats, helping replenish wild fish stocks, and protecting the livelihoods of millions of traditional fishers who depend on coastal waters.
Trenggono described strict maritime law enforcement and habitat conservation as two mutually reinforcing pillars. Conservation promotes ecological sustainability, while active patrols help protect marine ecosystems from poaching.
"A healthy ocean shielded from poaching will provide long-term dividends for local fishers and future generations," Trenggono said.
The latest interceptions build on years of maritime enforcement. Indonesian authorities impounded 88 illegal fishing vessels in 2024 and 355 in 2025.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Uyu Liman
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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