Despite mounting public outcry in Indonesia, the Australian government is adamant about continuing its zero-tolerance approach toward Indonesian fishermen caught in its waters.
Australia's ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer, in a recent visit to East Nusa Tenggara province, reiterated his government's stance on illegal fishing.
The country's laws specifically target fishermen using modern boats and industrial-grade fishing equipment.
When fishermen are caught violating Australian maritime laws, authorities generally sink their boats and destroy their equipment, Farmer said.
"However, fishermen using traditional boats and equipment are still allowed to fish in Australian waters ... specifically designated for that purpose," he was quoted Thursday by local newspaper The Jakarta Post as saying.
In 2006, Australian authorities apprehended a total of 359 ships belonging to Indonesian fishermen. In 2005, the number of crews caught violating the country's maritime laws numbered 279.
Farmer said in 2006, the Australian parliament ratified a law providing legal grounds for authorities to imprison foreign fishermen violating Australian laws.
Indonesian fishermen caught fishing in Australian waters face prison sentences of up to three years.
"We need to work together to ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources on both sides of the border," he said, adding that illegal fishing was a common problem that cost the Australian and Indonesian economies millions of dollars each year.
Source: Xinhua
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