RI, Aussie agree on joint sea patrols

Erwida Maulia , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 03/22/2009 10:09 PM

Indonesia and Australia have agreed on campaigning against poaching and on joint sea patrols around their maritime territorial boundaries in eastern part of Indonesian waters.

During the sixth meeting of the Working Group on Marine and Fisheries (WGMAF) Indonesia-Australia in Nusa Dua, Bali last week, the two countries, which had met several times to discuss poaching issues, finally reached agreement to jointly combat the illegal acts.

“In tackling with poaching, both countries have agreed on developing campaigns against poaching in eastern Indonesia . We’ve also agreed on conducting joint patrols at maritime boundaries between the two countries,” head of Indonesia ’s delegation to the meeting, Suseno Sukoyono from Indonesia ’s Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Ministry, was quoted as saying by Antara.

The two countries, however, have yet to reach agreement on the definition of traditional fishing. While Indonesia dubs many of its fishermen as traditional ones, Australia does not recognize the term, according to Suseno.

He cited as example old fishermen from Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara, who dubbed Pasir Island or Ashmore Island , located in the South of the province’s Ndana Island , as their inherited fishing areas. Pasir Island is rich in sea cucumbers and shrimps.

The two countries, however, have had a maritime boundary agreement which includes the island in Australia ’s territorial sea.

Suseno said such thing produced unfavorable situation to Indonesia , many of whose traditional fishermen had been caught by Australia ’s sea patrol.

“We see here conflicting interests between traditional fishermen who only want to find some money to eat and a sovereignty and law enforcement of a country.”

Suseno said the two countries would specifically discuss the issue in another meeting in Surabaya in May.