Indonesia, Australia cooperate in fighting IUU fishing

Indonesia and Australia sign a cooperation document at the "22nd Indonesia-Australia Fisheries Surveillance Forum (IASFS) Annual Meeting" in Darwin, Australia, in October 2022. (Photo: ANTARA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia and Australia haveagreed to strengthen cooperation in eradicating illegal fishing near the sea bordersbetween the two countries, Indonesian news agency Antara reported.

The cooperation is part of effort to prevent marine andfishery resources from the threat of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishingparticularly in the border area between Timor Sea and Arafura Sea.

Indonesia and Australia are committed to creating a maritimeterritory which is safe and free from IUU, Director General of Maine andFishery Resources Surveillance at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries MinistryRear Admiral Adin Nurawaluddin said in a press statement released on October 2.

The agreement is the realisation of long-term resolution thetwo countries agreed upon at the 22nd Indonesia-Australia FisheriesSurveillance Forum (IASFS) in Darwin, Australia.

Indonesia and Australia have formed three working groups torealise the joint action in supporting the effort to combat illegal fishing.

The three working groups are respectively engaged in publicinformation campaign, surveillance and law enforcement, and alternativelivelihood./.

VNA