INDONESIA ASKS A'LIA TO SINK VESSELS POACHING SHARKS

Jakarta, Aug 26 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has asked Australia to just sink boats found poaching sharks in waters in their common border areas because such vessels belonged to "mafia".

Indonesian Marine Resources and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi said here on Wednesday that shark poaching in Indonesian waters bordering Australia was organized by mafia.

"This is a mafia game. Therefore, we have asked Australia to just sink the boats if they are found tresspassing the border," he said.

Freddy said the boats used by fishermen that often violated the border were procured by mafia members worth Rp30 million each.

The shark fins that they had taken illegally meanwhile are worth billions of rupiahs and therefore they would never feel the loss when their boat was burned by Australian authorities.

He said the victims of the activity were fishermen because when they were caught they would be sent to a jail in Darwin.

"It is difficult for us to blame fishermen because they do it just to make ends meet," he said.

In view of that he said in cooperation with the Australian government fishermen from Kupang were being led to conduct aqua culture to that they would not be lured to fish sharks.

"(Australia) indeed is very strict with regard to the shark issue and our fishermen have to follow it," he said.

Indonesian fishermen have so far violated the border three times to catch sharks, which is a sharp drop, he said.

"Only five people have so far been caught and taken to Darwin," he said.

In view of that he called on fishermen in Kupang to stop catching sharks on the border between Indonesia and Australia.***2***