The Ministry for Marine Affairs and Fisheries has stopped the operation of two Singapore-flagged dredgers MV YC 6 and MV ZS 9 for alleged sand dredging and dumping without permit and proper documents in Batam waters, Riau Islands province.
Director General for Marine Resources and Fisheries Surveillance (PSDKP) at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Pung Nugroho Saksono, oversaw the operational termination of the two vessels during a working visit to Nipah Island, one of the outer islands in Riau Islands province, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
“Such firm action is taken against those operating without having valid licensing documents,” Pung Nugroho said.
He cited that Government Regulation No. 26/2023 on Sea Sedimentation Management as one of the legal bases in Coastal Areas and Small Islands Control System.
“During the questioning, the vessel captain confessed that they frequently enter the Indonesian territory. Even in one month they can enter here (Indonesia) up to 10 times, without being equipped with valid documents. They don’t even have ship documents, only the skipper’s diploma and birth certificate,” Pung Nugroho saidies
“In a month, this vessel is able to steal 100,000 cubic meters of Indonesian sea sand,” he added.
Pung Nugroho maintained that the Directorate General of PSDKP will continue to monitor and curb illegal dredging ships operating in other waters. This is in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 (12) of Law No. 6/2023 on the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2/2022 on Job Creation Law, which stipulates that anyone utilizing the Coastal Waters must have the Permit for Marine Spatial Utilization Activities (KKPRL) issued by the Central Government.
On the same occasion, Director General of Marine Affairs and Spatial Management at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Viktor Gustaaf Manoppo, said that as of today the Government Regulation No. 26/2023 does not mention a single permit issued by the government for sea sand dredging.
“By regulation, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has not issued a single permit to anyone. The total estimated potential State losses from this illegal activity can reach hundreds of billions of rupiah per year. This is only on marine resources (sea sand dredging), not to mention other licenses,” Victor said.
Previously, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono had said that export of sea sand is only for sand formed through sedimentation and whenever domestic needs are met.
