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August 31, 2009

August 27, 2009 13:01 PM

Indonesia Asks Australia To Sink Vessels Poaching Sharks

JAKARTA, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Indonesia has asked Australia to just sink

boats found poaching sharks in waters in their common border areas because

such vessels belonged to " mafia " , Indonesia's Antara news agency reported.

Indonesian Marine Resources and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi said here

on Wednesday that shark poaching in Indonesian waters bordering Australia

was organised by mafia.

" This is a mafia game. Therefore, we have asked Australia to just sink the

boats if they are found tresspassing the border, " he said.

Freddy said the boats worth Rp30 million (RM10,457) each used by fishermen

that often violated the border were procured by mafia members.

The shark fins that they had taken illegally meanwhile are worth billions of

rupiahs and therefore they would never feel the loss when their boat was

burned by Australian authorities, he said.

He also said the victims of the activity were fishermen because when they

were caught they would be the ones sent to jail in Darwin.

It is difficult for us to blame fishermen because they do it just to make

ends meet, " he said.

In view of that he said in cooperation with the Australian government

fishermen from Kupang were being led to conduct aqua culture to that they

would not be lured to fish sharks.

" (Australia) indeed is very strict with regard to the shark issue and our

fishermen have to follow their rules, " he said.

Indonesian fishermen have so far violated the border three times to catch

sharks, he said.

" Only five people have so far been caught and taken to Darwin, " he added.

In view of that he called on fishermen in Kupang to stop catching sharks on

the border between Indonesia and Australia.

-- BERNAMA

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