Indonesia has begun sinking dozens of impounded foreign boats to deter illegal fishing in its waters, a week after a naval vessel clashed with a Vietnamese coastguard near the South China Sea.
Up to 51 foreign boats, including from Vietnam, Malaysia and China, will be scuttled at several different locations over the next two weeks, Indonesian officials said.
Over a dozen were already scuttled near Pontianak, in West Kalimantan province.
Indonesia said the area in the southernmost reaches of the South China Sea is its exclusive economic zone and two years ago changed its name to the North Natuna Sea in a bid to show sovereignty.
Parts of the South China Sea. Source: AAP
Fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the action was necessary to warn neighbouring countries that Indonesia was serious about fighting illegal fishing.
"There's no other way," she said. "This is actually the most beautiful solution for our nation, but yes, it's scary for other countries."
She said Indonesia suffered great economic loss from lax regulations that gave leeway for foreign boats to fish in Indonesian waters.
Since president Joko Widodo took office in 2014, hundreds of captured foreign fishing vessels have been sunk; more than half from Vietnam.
The practice was suspended for several months, but has resumed last week after an incident between a Vietnamese coastguard boat and an Indonesian navy ship.
A dozen fishermen were detained and remain in Indonesian custody.
China claims most of South China Sea Source: AFP, Getty
"If we don't act firm, they will be even more daring. I believe these collisions will get worse one day, this will escalate," Pudjiastuti said.
Indonesia recently inaugurated a new military base in the chain of several hundred small islands on the North Natuna sea to beef up defences.
The move prompted criticism from China, which also claimed parts of the area.
Share
