Video Of Illegal Long-line Fishing Boat Caught On Castle Rock, Komodo

[GoinDivin]

Castle Rock is one of the signature dive sites in Komodo National Park. It's located at the edge of the park in the no take zone, unfortunately it's more susceptible to poachers.


The operator who caught the poachers stated, "Early morning May 13, we discovered illegal longlines dragging on the famous Castle Rock dive site in the North of Komodo National Park and trailing for nearly 3 km to the east on a falling tide. Upon entering the water over the flags demarcating the longlines, we discovered 2 grey reef sharks, one was still alive which we cut from the line (it looks dead in the video, but after I stopping recording he did begin swimming weakly...

Komodo National Park (KNP) was recently voted one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. With all the new cruise ships and tourist dollars coming into the park to see the dragons, divers wonder, will they forgot about the parks underwater treasures? Let (KNP) know that these treasures need to be protected, that you would like to see your park fees going towards more patrols and tell them you'd like to give your support.

Email the KNP official site
Put a post on their Facebook site
Tweet @GOKOMODO
Email the Indonesian Tourism Board

 

[dirtfarmer]

This is so sad and I must say not the first time. When diving Komodo this January other divers on the boat found a finned shark and Manta. I will definitely be telling them my views.

 

[Indah]

I think the total number is sunken 200 vessels up to now. We definitely see far more fish at Weda Bay than last year. Also much more pelagic species. How about other parts of Indonesia?

From Jakarta Post April 2016:
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti led the blowing up on Tuesday of 23 foreign fishing boats caught poaching in Indonesian waters.

Susi, as commander of the 115 Task Force, led the destruction of the boats from her office through live streaming. The force consists of officers from the ministry, the Navy and the National Police.

“The sinking of the boats is to enforce the law and to protect the sovereignty of our territory to ensure that the sea is the future of our nation,” said Susi as reported by kompas.com. The 13 boats were registered in Vietnam and 10 in Malaysia.

The sinking began simultaneously at 11 a.m. in seven location across the country and is legal under Law No. 31/2014 on the fisheries industry, she added.

In West Kalimantan, two boats were sunk in waters around Datok Island, Mempawah regency. “The fishing boats were seized in late February,” said West Kalimantan Police chief Brig. Gen. Arief Sulistyanto on Tuesday.

The two boats were among dozens of fishing boats caught fishing illegally by the water police, said Arief, adding that he appreciated local people’s efforts to inform the police about the foreign boats’ illegal activities.

“We got information from local people about the operation of dozens of foreign boats that came from Subi isle heading to Sempadi isle. We followed up on the information,” he said as quoted by tempo.com.

The two boats were flying Indonesian flags in an attempt to fool the authorities.

The Indonesian government has sunk dozens of foreign fishing boats after they were caught operating illegally in Indonesian waters, following intensive operations involving the Navy, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and the water police.