KBRN, Batam: The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has intercepted a Vietnamese-flagged foreign fishing vessel (FFV) engaged in illegal fishing activities in the North Natuna Sea, Riau Islands, marking the sixth such capture this year.

Pung Nugroho Saksono, Director General of Marine and Fishery Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) at KKP, confirmed that the vessel was caught stealing fish within the Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (WPP NRI) 711.

"KKP has successfully arrested one foreign fishing vessel from Vietnam in the North Natuna Sea, bringing the total number of foreign vessels involved in illegal fishing caught in the North Natuna Sea in 2025 to six," said Pung at the PSDKP Base in Batam on Thursday, November 6, 2025, as quoted by Antara.

The arrest of the vessel, the HP 9213 TS, measuring 70 Gross Tonnage (GT), actually took place on Saturday, November 1. Due to technical issues, the vessel had to be towed by a PSDKP patrol boat from Natuna and finally arrived at the Batam PSDKP Base on Wednesday, November 5.

The Vietnamese vessel was operating in Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) without valid permits from the Indonesian Government. On board, officers from the PSDKP patrol vessel KP Barakuda 01 secured three crew members, including the captain, all of whom were Vietnamese nationals.

The vessel was first detected via the KKP’s command center and then validated through airborne surveillance. KP Barakuda 01, captained by Aldi Firmansyah, intercepted the vessel, which was actively fishing.

The vessel was using a "pearl trawl" or bottom trawl, a banned fishing gear in Indonesian waters due to its destructive impact on the marine ecosystem.

Pung revealed that the fishing operation typically involves two vessels dragging the trawl. The mother ship, already carrying stolen fish cargo, managed to escape across the border, leaving the arrested vessel behind.

Although the HP 9213 TS was empty upon capture, authorities suspect that 70 to 80 tons of stolen fish had already been transferred to the mother vessel in the border area. The potential state loss averted by this single apprehension is significant, valued at IDR 22.6 billion (USD 1.46 million), primarily due to the threat of widespread ecosystem damage if such activities are left unchecked.

Pung reiterated PSDKP's commitment to protecting Indonesian waters through continuous surveillance and law enforcement. The HP 9213 TS is suspected of violating multiple articles of Indonesia’s Fisheries Law, and the legal process will be handled by Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) at the Batam PSDKP Base. ***