Indonesia repatriates biggest number of Vietnamese fishermen at sea

(VNF) - According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia, 228 Vietnamese fishermen, the largest number so far, are repatriated in Indonesia’s Natuna Sea area on September 14^th.

Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti (R) in a meeting with a Vietnamese official to discuss the repatriation of fishermen. (Source: VNA)

This is the first time the two countries are implementing repatriation of fishermen at sea.

Earlier, the Vietnam fishermen arrested for accidentally fishing in Indonesia’s territorial waters were repatriated by air at Sokarno Hatta and Jakarta International Airports.

According to Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, repatriation at sea will help the Vietnamese fishermen go home faster and contribute to reducing overload pressure in places of detention for foreign fishermen.

The Indonesian sends three ships, ORCA 1, ORCA 2 and ORCA 4, to Natuna Sea area to conduct the repatriation.

It is expected that after four to five days, ships carrying fishermen will arrive in Vietnam.

On fisheries cooperation between the two countries, Minister Susi said that Indonesia is willing to expand cooperation with Vietnam, especially in seafood and fish processing and export-import activities.

She said Indonesia and Vietnam have maintained a good relationship, conducting joint patrols and drills between their maritime police forces, and this should be strengthened to boost cooperation in the Natuna Sea and East Sea.