Indonesia – the world’s largest archipelago nation – seriously backed up a campaign against illegal fishing in its waters today by blowing up 27 impounded foreign boats.
The empty vessels were blown up or scuttled at five different locations after having been caught illegally fishing and originated from the Phillipines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar, according to Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti. FourIndoneshian boats were also caught and subsequently destroyed.
“The government is taking stronger and firmer action to enforce regulations to keep our waters safe,” Pudjiastuti, a key figure in the campaign against illegal fishing, told journalists.
Image: Wikipedia
This isn’t the first time that Indonesia has taken such drastic measures against illegal fishing. In fact, the country has sunk boats on several occasions, including the sinking of 41 illegal boats back in May. A driving force behind the initiative, President Joko Widodo claims the practice costs the country billions of dollars annually.
