Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan visits fishermen captured at Tanjung Pinang island (Photo: VNA) The recommendation came as the number ofVietnamese fishermen violating Indonesia’s territorial waters is on the rise comparedto that of the neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, thePhilippines and Malaysia.
The Ambassador pointed out the fact that about700 Vietnamese fishermen were arrested in Indonesia in 2015, about three times higherthe figures in the previous years.
The number has amounted to nearly 1,100 in 2016,he said, adding that Indonesia has so far arrested 98 illegal Vietnamesefishing boats and released over 1,000 fishermen.
Tuan cited the weak management of fishermen aswell as the lack of communication campaigns and strict punishments as the mainreasons behind this situation.
Despite the embassy’s efforts to protect Vietnamese citizens,including many fishermen, in the host country, it is still difficult for thestaff to apply protective measures.
As the fishermen were captured in different regions, the embassyhad to make contact with a lot of agencies in Indonesia to deal with theviolations, he explained.
The ambassador proposed Vietnameselocalities, which have fishermen and fishing boats captured in Indonesia,enhance awareness-raising campaigns so that sailors and fishermen understandthat fishing in Indonesia’s territorial waters seriously violates the country’slaw and will be strictly punished.
He also suggested learning experience from othercountries such as Thailand and Myanmar in dealing with the violations.-VNA
VNA
