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Indonesia detains Chinese fishing boat and crew for illegal fishing

Ship was one of 12 foreign fishing vessels spotted trawling in the Natuna Sea

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The Indonesian navy scuttles foreign fishing vessels caught fishing illegally in Indonesian waters near Bitung, North Sulawesi in May, 2015, Photo: Reuters

An Indonesian navy warship arrested a Chinese boat and seven Chinese crew members for fishing illegally in Indonesian territorial waters bordering the South China Sea, Indonesia’s navy spokesman said on Saturday, according to Kyodo.

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The Indonesian warship KRI Imam Bonjol-383 responded to a report from maritime air surveillance officials that 12 foreign fishing boats were illegally working in the Natuna Sea, First Admiral Edi Sucipto said.

“When approached by our warship, the foreign fishing boats manoeuvred and escaped,” Edi said.

The warship chased after them and fired a warning shot, but the boats ignored it.

“Finally, after some warning shots, one of the 12 foreign fishing boats stopped,” the navy officer said.

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