Government Successfully Captures Foreign Vessels in Natuna, Saves IDR 64.1 Billion in State Losses
Jakarta – The Indonesian government’s commitment to safeguarding maritime sovereignty and marine resources has once again yielded concrete results. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) successfully captured two illegal Vietnamese fishing vessels in the North Natuna Sea, Riau Islands. The vessels, measuring 120 gross tons (GT) and 97 GT respectively, were found using destructive fishing gear known as pair trawls—a method strictly prohibited in Indonesian waters.
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, affirmed that this firm action is in line with his direct instruction to continuously combat illegal fishing and the use of destructive gear. “We want Indonesia’s marine and fisheries resources to remain sustainable and well-preserved,” he asserted.
The operation was led by the Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP), Dr. Pung Nugroho Saksono, commonly known as Ipunk. Acting on reports from the public and intelligence from the command center monitoring system, two surveillance vessels, KP. Orca 03 and KP. Orca 02, successfully intercepted the Vietnamese-flagged vessels, identified as KG 6219TS and KG 6277TS.
“This capture was a swift response to public reports. Once the information was verified, we proceeded with pursuit and enforcement,” said Ipunk. He explained that pair trawling is an active fishing method that severely damages coral reefs, indiscriminately hauls in juvenile fish, and ultimately harms fish stock regeneration.
In addition to the two vessels, authorities detained 19 crew members, all of Vietnamese nationality, and confiscated approximately 70 kilograms of fish. “The estimated state loss we successfully prevented through this operation amounts to IDR 64.1 billion,” Ipunk added.
The captain of KG 6219TS, identified by the initials LVP, admitted that they entered Indonesian waters out of desperation, as fishing yields in their home country were very low. This statement reinforces the fact that the North Natuna Sea remains a prime target due to its abundant marine resources.
Director of Fleet Operations Control, Saiful Umam, also highlighted the impact of foreign vessels equipped with large capacities and illegal fishing gear. According to him, without proper enforcement, local fishermen would be unable to compete. “KKP will continue to strengthen surveillance in the North Natuna Sea,” he emphasized. He also noted that the two vessels have been escorted to the PSDKP base in Batam for further legal proceedings.
This achievement adds to KKP’s track record of successful enforcement. Between January and May 2025 alone, the government has seized 34 vessels suspected of illegal fishing activities, consisting of 11 foreign and 23 domestic vessels.
With this success, the government has not only prevented substantial state losses but also reaffirmed to the international community that Indonesia will not tolerate violations of its maritime sovereignty and marine ecosystems.
