Hundreds Indonesian fishermen detained in Darwin

The Jakarta Post

BRISBANE (Antara): As many as 201 Indonesian fishermen are being held in a detention center for their alleged involvement in illegal fishing in Australian waters, an Indonesian diplomat said Thursday.

Buchari Hasnil Bakar from the Indonesian Consulate in Darwin said his office received news Wednesday 129 fishermen were being held at a detention center in Darwin.

The number may now be higher with the arrival of a further 72 fishermen recently arrested by Australian police, Buchari said.

He said police had seized around 1.1 tons of sea cucumber (a protected species in Australia) along with fishing and diving gear they used to catch them.

Buchari said, last week Australian Customs Service had arrested another 118 Indonesia fishermen in 12 boats for illegal fishing in Australian waters.

On Nov. 21, police rescued 16 fishermen from eastern Indonesia after their boat sank in the Timor sea and then arrested them for illegally entering Australian waters. Their cases are currently being processed at the immigration office on Christmas island, West Australia.