Indonesia sinks 34 foreign boats to stop illegal fishing

• Boats blown up or scuttled as part of Independence Day festivities
• Vessels were owned by Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino and Malaysian poachers

JAKARTA: Indonesia sank 34 impounded foreign boats Tuesday, the government said, the latest bid to deter vessels from illegally fishing in the world’s biggest archipelago nation.
The empty boats from Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia were sunk as part of events to celebrate 70 years since the proclamation of Indonesian independence. Independence day fell on Monday and was marked by nationwide celebrations.

All the vessels, which were blown up or scuttled at several locations across the archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, had been caught illegally fishing in Indonesian waters.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is leading the campaign against illegal fishing and says it costs the country billions of dollars in lost revenues every year.
Foreign trawlers had already been sunk on several occasions in recent months.

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Source News: Arab News
Photo: REUTERS/Jessica Helena Wuysang/Antara Foto