Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti (right) in a meeting with a Vietnamese official to discuss the repatriation of fishermen. (Source: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia will repatriate Vietnamese fishermen who were caught to accidently fish in its waters by sea transport in the Natuna sea area.
The first-time sea transport will help the fishermen go home faster, the Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti told the Jakarta-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent.
The first release of its kind is scheduled to take place on September 13, as agreed at a recent meeting between the Indonesian Minister and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam.
O n fisheries cooperation between the two countries, Minister Susi said that Indonesia is willing to expand cooperation with Vietnam, especially in seafood and fish processing and export-import activities.
She said Indonesia and Vietnam have maintained a good relationship, conducting joint patrols and drills between their maritime police forces, and this should be strengthened to boost cooperation in the Natuna sea and East Sea.
Vietnam has been taking numerous measures to prevent its fishermen from violating Indonesia’s waters, a Vietnamese diplomat in Indonesia has affirmed.
Indonesia said it is currently detaining around 312 Vietnamese fishermen.-VNA
