Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesian authorities sank 23 foreign fishing boats on April 5, saying that the vessels were illegally operating in the country’s territorial waters.
The vessels, 13 Vietnamese and 10 Malaysian, were sunk in seven locations including Batam and Aceh on Sumatra island.
Speaking with the press in the capital city of Jakarta, Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti said the government will continue to sink poaching ships.
Since 2014, Indonesia has sunk a total of 174 foreign fishing vessels.
After taking office in October 2014, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called on a war against illegal fishing and ordered authorities to take tough measures to tackle the illegal act./.